by Mary Rupert
When Piper High School senior Carley Blevins started to plan her senior project, she wanted to tie it into her career interest of pediatrics.
She developed an idea, with the help of her mom, to hold a fundraiser for Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. She said funds will go toward cancer treatment for children.
The idea took shape and the Jingle Bell Dash, a walk-run, is now scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 13, at Piper High School stadium. The entry fee is $20. Registration for the event is 10 a.m. and the race starts at 11 a.m. Dec. 13.
It is open to the public, and advance signups are available at Carleysseniorproject2015.blogspot.com. Already, about 40 people have signed up.
Those who walk or run in this event will receive a jingle bell that they may wear as the circle each lap of the track, she said. The participants will be raising funds per mile walked.
The long-range forecast looks good for the event, but in the event of icy weather, it will be moved indoors into the gymnasium, she said.
Piper seniors currently are busy planning senior projects in conjunction with their career interests. One student is directing her own play, another one is producing a movie, and some have other interests such as education, she said.
Blevins said she eventually wants to become a pediatric surgeon or pediatric doctor.
“I have an interest in children and helping children,” she said.
She plans to study premedicine and then go to medical school at the University of Kansas, she said.
At Piper, Blevins is treasurer of the senior class, a class representative in the Student Council, on the executive board of Key Club, and the dance team captain.
Besides raising funds for a charity, those participating in the Jingle Bell Dash will receive an event T-shirt, jingle bells and Christmas cookies.