Karrie Meyers – Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy (MHA) in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, hosted its sixth Annual Walk-A-Thon, October 4, bringing together students, staff, and supporters to raise funds for the school’s financial aid program, which assists 40% of students in attending MHA.
With a fundraising goal of $50,000, the event exceeded expectations, raising an impressive $58,322.38, thanks to 70% student participation and strong community support.
The Walk-A-Thon featured balloon stations, snack areas, a bounce house, and a bubble station organized by the PTO. Friendly competition for class and individual prizes encouraged enthusiastic participation, with rewards including bowling parties, Mustang-themed gear, and personalized Stanley cups. The eleventh-grade class raised the most as a class, narrowly beating out the staff in a close race.
To celebrate surpassing the fundraising goal, MHA’s staff committed to a “Silly Olympics” during Chapel, November 1, which sparked plenty of laughter and cheers from students. Staff members dressed in inflatable costumes—including a duck, horse, shark, snail, and Cookie Monster—and took part in quirky relay races involving toilet plungers and balloon-cup challenges. MHA principal Andrew Carpenter emceed the event in a purple suit, enthusiastically introducing MHA’s first-ever Silly Olympics. The students joined in with custom-made signs and cheers, with one MHA student, Jaylee, calling out, “Go faster, Daddy!” to her father, Tyler Rettler, MHA’s Information Technology director, who sported a giant chicken outfit.
MHA’s vice president of Finance and Development, Jocelyn Aalborg, shared her appreciation, saying, “We are grateful for the generous support of our community. This dedication enables us to provide an excellent Adventist education to our students, and we deeply appreciate the commitment from our staff who helped make this event memorable.”
—Karrie Meyers is the marketing and development coordinator at Mile High Academy. Photos supplied.
