Superior High School students help local family in need
Local wrestling official Bobby Henderson shows his appreciation to Superior High School students Bailey Milender and Wesley Buchanan, members of the National Honor Society. The Society held a fundraiser prior to a recent match to support Henderson’s family. (Chuck Bandel/Mineral Independent)
National Honor Society students from Superior High School recently worked together to support a local family in need.
As part of being a member of the NHS, students are asked to take part in community service projects.
This year the students got behind an idea put forth by fellow society member Cassie Green, a sophomore at Superior High School.
A local family had recently experienced a human tragedy that involved the loss of one of two twins during birth. The surviving twin was born with an under-developed lung and was hospitalized in Missoula for 70 days. Medical costs for such an event can be staggering and the NHS wanted to help any way they could.
The students came up with a plan to hold a silent auction before the start of a high school wrestling match in the Superior gym.
As a result, they raised $500, which they presented to Bobby and Jonna Henderson before the wrestling match. Henderson is a wrestling referee and was there to officiate the match.
“The students really wanted to do something to assist the family,” said Superior High English teacher Angie Armour, who serves as the faculty advisor for the Superior NHS. “Cassie brought up the idea and everyone wanted to help the family who had struggled through such a tragic medical situation.”
The twin boys, born at 28 weeks after they were diagnosed with twin to twin transfer syndrome, a rare condition that allows one twin to receive more nutrients and more red blood cells than the other, who would be anemic.
The decision was made to deliver the twin boys early.
Upon delivery one of the twins was much smaller than the other and was born with significantly underdeveloped lungs. He could not be intubated and passed away shortly thereafter.
The other twin, Ruger, also had respiratory issues that kept him hospitalized for 70 days before he could be brought home. He is doing well.
The NHS is open to students in grades 10-12 who meet grade point average requirement for membership. They must also have no “behavior” incidents and are required to participate in 25 hours of community service each year.
“The Superior community is so amazing,” said Armour. “This is just a great place to live.”
After receiving the check from Armour, and students Bailey Milender and Wesley Buchanan, a visibly moved Henderson said simply, “Thank you, thank you everybody.”