Graduating Seniors Leave Legacy Of Education

Tuesday, May 29th 2007, 7:55 pm

By: News On 6

As the school year draws to a close many graduating seniors are leaving their mark on their schools. The News On 6â€™s Ashli Sims reports one eastern Oklahoma high school class isn't just leaving a landmark, but a legacy.

A Trojan standing tall in the entryway, a new costume for the school mascot, theyâ€™re all signs of Jenks classes long gone. But when it was their turn, Jenks Class of 2007 decided to do something different.

"Ya'know we could donate something physical that would stand in the school and represent our class, but we thought this could have a much bigger, more positive impact," said Eric Park, Jenks Senior Class President.

Jo Ann Parsons is a Jenks parent who's involved with the Busheyni Alliance for Rural Health and Development. It's a local charity that provides funding for four boarding schools and ten health clinics in Uganda, Africa.

"We had them come in and talk to us about it, and once we heard all about it we knew that's what we wanted to do," Jenks Senior Class Treasurer Hailey Hinch said.

The Class of 2007 decided to reach across the globe to give the gift of education. Ugandan children have to pay to attend middle and high school, and for many students who have lost parents to AIDS or malaria, that's a luxury they cannot afford. The Jenks senior class wanted to change that, at least for two students.

"This is just a wonderful gift that they've given,â€ said Jo Ann Parsons BARHD Orphan Coordinator. â€œI think it's a real testament to their characters that they didn't think what do we need, but they thought, what does somebody else need?"

Eric Park and Hailey Hinch announced the gift at graduation, and even shot video of the class for their new friends in Uganda.

"This is a really big impact that our class can have,â€ Park said. â€œIt's something we can all be proud of for a really long time. It's a very obvious change that we can make in the world. And we can help someone that wouldn't get the help otherwise."

Jenks Class of 2007's gift will pay for four years of high school for two Ugandan students. Jo Ann Parsons will go to Uganda later this week to pick the students, and students here hope to begin a long lasting relationship with them.

Watch the video:

Local High School Seniors Give The Gift Of Education

WEB EXTRA: Extended Video Of Bushenyi Alliance For Rural Health And Development

For more information about BARHD visit their website.