"We've been raising money all year," Hilites President Caroline Lochausen said. "Today, we can finally grant a wish." The Hilites surprised a 7-year-old girl diagnosed with leukemia with the news her wish had been fulfilled, and she is going to Walt Disney World.
The mission of the Hilites service club is to raise awareness and money that will benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation. Fundraising to make today happen dates back to 2007. The club has raised more than $175,000 total and 50,000 of those dollars was raised this year. That is more than any student-run organization for Make-A-Wish North Texas. "We take our mission to heart," Lochausen said. "We have put hours of hard work to this effort and knowing it is helping another family makes it completely gratifying."
In addition to raising dollars to benefit the Make-A-Wish foundation, the Hilites brings together all girls within the school to help plan and organize two annual Hilites dances each semester. The club also connects new underclassmen with upperclassmen at the beginning of the school year at the annual Hilites Picnic in hopes of getting them excited for their transition into a new school.
"Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve" are words seen across the entrance to HPHS, but they are more than words. It is a culture and way of learning in HPISD, and on Feb. 14, the community saw the meaning of that motto through the eyes of an excited little girl. The Hilites donation will help send Hadley and her family to Disney World in March so Hadley can finally see the princesses she longs to meet.