PHS students raise money for little girl in Cowley, young boy in Casper 

Powell High School students are raising money to make wishes come true for two young children.

Daizy from Cowley, who celebrated her third birthday this week, and 3-year-old Amani from Casper each want to go to Disney World. PHS students hope to raise thousands of dollars for each child’s trip through the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Wyoming.

The PHS Student Council and National Honor Society held an assembly this week and are raising money from the student body. On Saturday, students will host a community chili cook-off at the Park County Fairgrounds beginning at 5:30 p.m. They also will have silent and live auctions starting at 7 p.m.

PHS students recently had a chance to meet Daizy at a park in Cowley.

“It makes it way more real to know the person you’re raising money for,” said Quin Wetzel, PHS student body president.

The youngster underwent surgery for Wilms’ tumor, a rare childhood kidney cancer. Following chemotherapy and radiation, she’s now in remission, he said.

Wetzel said he and other PHS students enjoyed getting to know Daizy, who was initially shy but soon wanted to play.

“She’s so cute and she’s full of energy,” he said. “She was really, really fun to play with.”

Daizy and her family left for their Make-A-Wish trip to Disney World over the weekend, and the money PHS students raise will go toward covering all of their expenses.

Daizy wants to be dressed as a Ninja Turtle at Disney World, Wetzel said.

“Which is something Make-A-Wish hasn’t seen before,” said Caitlin Bushnell, PHS student body vice president.

“It’s kind of a new request. They’ve seen a lot of Disney World requests, but never as a ninja,” Wetzel added.

Amani also wants to go to Disney World, but he is a Toy Story fan. Amani was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and faces daunting chances for survival, Wetzel said.

Last year’s Make-A-Wish recipients chose to remain anonymous, so PHS students didn’t know their names. Seeing photos of Daizy and Amani and hearing their stories make their lives much more real for students.

“It puts a new perspective on things to see the person,” Bushnell said.

PHS students are having a friendly competition against Cody High School to see which school can raise more money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Students hope to raise a total of $14,000 — $7,000 each from Powell and Cody.

Money raised above that amount will go toward granting wishes for more children.

Last year, PHS students raised $21,677 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation — enough to grant three wishes, Wetzel said.

Local businesses and residents have donated auction items for Saturday night’s fundraiser.

“We really appreciate the community’s support and want to thank them,” Bushnell said.

Featured items include a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero from Garvin Motors, a week at a condo in Mexico donated by Paul and Beth Rodriguez and an all-inclusive trip for four in Yellowstone National Park donated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

Tickets to the all-you-can eat chili cook-off are $5 for kids 10 and under and $10 for adults.

The chili cook-off has 10 entries so far, and more chili chefs can join the fun. To enter in the chili cook-off or for more information, contact Cindy Jacobs at 764-6181 or CLJ@pcsd1.net.