The Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS) gym was rocking on Thursday, March 5 as the school celebrated 8-year-old Brooks and raised money for Make-A-Wish Colorado.
The celebration was the culmination of Wish-Week, an annual event organized by the student council to raise money for Make-A-Wish Colorado to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Throughout the week, students raise money and cap off the fundraising with a huge assembly planned around celebrating a specific Wish Kid. The Wish Kid also spends the week hanging out with the student council and participating in fun activities.
This year, when the final tally was taken, PRHS raised a whopping $30,000 for Make-A-Wish Colorado.
The raucous celebration on March 5 was focused on 8-year-old Brooks, who has a congenital heart disease. She is a creative, spirited, and outgoing young girl who loves her pets, her friends, and recess at school. Her wish is to go to Disney World.
The event actually began on somewhat of a somber note, as Elijah Arnholt's mother addressed the crowd and delivered a tribute to her son. Elijah Arnholt was a PRHS student who passed away in March of 2025 at the age of 18, after a courageous battle with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Elijah was also with Make-A-Wish Colorado. He was part of the PR-TV program and wished to be an extra in a Star Wars movie. His mother told the crowd how the Make-A-Wish program made that a reality for Elijah, and he will appear as an extra in the Star Wars movie, Mandalorian and Grogu, which comes out later this year.
"They (Make-A-Wish) really do the impossible," Mrs. Anrholt said.
The celebration then began as Brooks ran out to center court to a standing ovation. She then enthusiastically addressed the crowd and told them about her wish and some of the things she's been through.
Next was the 'Miracle Minute.' For approximately one minute, buckets were passed around the crowd in hopes of collecting even more donations for Make-A-Wish Colorado. Representatives from Scheels were also in attendance and they brought a t-shirt cannon, During the Miracle Minute, Brooks got to help launch t-shirts into the crowd. Another Wish Kid named Callen came to support Brooks and they had quite the time interacting with the crowd and throwing t-shirts. During the Miracle Minute, and additional $2,000 was donated.
Brooks then addressed the crowd again, along with Tina Stroman from Make-A-Wish Colorado. Brooks told the crowd about her favorite game, hide and seek, and how she loved to dance. Stroman spoke to the crowd about the impact these events and fundraisers make.
"A wish takes fear and turns it into hope. And that's the gift you've given these children. We can't grant a single wish without the support of communities like this," Stroman said.
Brooks then got a huge cheer from the crowd as she exclaimed into the microphone, "Go Bears!"
The rest of the celebration included some games between students from each grade and a choreographed dance from all of the participants in the previous night's event, "Mr. PR."
Next was a thundering school chant from the entire student body. Then, Brooks got to pie English Teacher Matt Frost in the face.
The celebration wrapped up with popular PR teacher, Daniel Russel getting his head shaved, something he agreed to do if donations hit the $30,000 mark.
"This is my favorite week of the year," PRHS Principal, Dr. Adam Frank said.
There were then lots of pictures and hugs with Brooks to conclude the celebration as a few brave students also had their heads shaved.
For more information on how you can help make wishes come true for kids like Brooks, visit Make-A-Wish Colorado.