Plains High School rallies around student

PLAINS – Students from Plains High School filled the bleachers at the school’s gymnasium last week to show their support of fellow student Franklin Reed.

Plains students from several grades took part in the assembly in support of Reed, who was recently diagnosed with leukemia and is currently receiving treatment in Spokane.

The assembly was planned and put on by the Plains High School Job’s for Montana’s Graduates class, made up of senior students at the school.

During the school’s sixth period class, shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 9, Plains students took a break from their afternoon classes to head to the school’s gymnasium for the assembly.

Plains high school student Douglas Damschen led the initial portion of the assembly from center court of the plain’s gymnasium and kicked off the event by leading the school’s students in a series of cheers for Reed.

Damschen a member of the school’s drama club did not hesitate when he was asked by other members of the JMG class to take part in the ceremony, adding he is a good friend with Reed and was happy to help with the assembly.

“Franklin is one of my best friends,” Damschen said.

Reed’s peers proudly displayed signs, took part in call and response group chants and performed a rendition of Bill Wither’s song Lean on Me, for their friend.

The Plains Horsemen football team held up a sign throughout the ceremonies with the words, “we play for you.” At the conclusion of the ceremony the football team came together and recorded a group message for Reed.

In addition, following the ceremony Plains students recorded a series of personal messages for Reed to be sent off with the video recording of the assembly.

A video from the assembly was taped during the proceedings and will be sent to Reed and his family.

Carl Benson, a science teacher at the high school and member of the Plains Paradise Rural Fire Department was on hand with several other Plains teachers for the afternoon assembly.

Benson spoke briefly to those in attendance about the fundraising campaign started by the rural fire department to raise funds for Reed, a junior firefighter with the department, and his family.

The department has placed boots in stores and businesses throughout downtown Plains and Benson said the program has been successful so far.

According to Benson, the fundraising campaign had raised $3,100 for Reed at the time of the assembly.

Benson also announced that last Thursday was the last day of the boot campaign and he urged teachers and students to contribute whatever they could for the young member of their community.

“Let’s fill those boots and get the money over to Franklin,” Benson said.

Last week’s assembly was not the only event at the Plains school to support Reed and a few weeks ago during the Plains Horsemen’s homecoming football game against Troy on Sept. 26, a raffle was held to raise money for the Plains student.

The homecoming game raffle raised $1,600 in donations.