Senior Women Host Organ Donor Walk in Memory of Hughes

Last Saturday, Senior Women participated in a volunteer event at North to benefit an organ donor association started by the family of Justin Hughes.

A North Alum, Hughes was born with a heart defect and received a heart transplant at eleven years old.  Due to complications, Hughes lost his life at age twenty, and the Hughes family created an organization in memory of him to help others like Hughes.

“We had heard that Ms. Hughes had asked for the track to hold this event, and then senior women were asked if we wanted to partner,” said Senior Women co-coordinator Julie Parks. “Next year, we will try to do the same event again.”

Senior Women is a group focused on reaching out to others and giving service to the community.  “The mission of Senior Women is to give our girls opportunities to be leaders in our school,” said Senior Women co-coordinator Melody Barger. “We think it’s important to give the opportunity to organize something if they are passionate about it.”

At the event on Saturday, volunteers were expected to arrive at 8:15 a.m. to help register guests.  To participate in the walk, people paid ten dollars that went to support the Larry Hughes Foundation and Hughes Charities.

Walkers warmed up by dancing to music including the Cha-Cha Slide and Cupid’s Shuffle and also participated in Zumba.

“I thought the morning was really fun,” said Senior Women Secretary Rachel Green.  “It was cool to do the Zumba to warm up for the walk, and I liked doing something fun while knowing it was helping others.”

Immediately following the walk, the Senior Women started the annual Powder Puff game on the turf, and walkers were encouraged to stay and watch.

“Powder Puff doesn’t have a huge turnout at North usually, and we thought that by pairing it with an event, we would have a better turnout,” said Parks.

“The walk helped draw attention to Senior Women because the Powder Puff game was after it so then people could participate in both,” said Green.

Even though the turnout was not as expected for the Powder Puff game, the Senior Women still enjoyed volunteering.

“It feels good to do something for others,” said Parks.  “Everyone should have that rewarding experience of giving back, and everyone needs to stop and do something for someone else every once in a while.”

Written by Emily Ladig — News Editor