To kick off Wish Week, not only did CT have big things in the works, but so did Black Forest Hills Elementary. Black Forest held their ninth annual Wish Week talent show on Tuesday, February 24th, in their gym. The talent show was run by Erica Knowlton, their art teacher, with the help of kindergarten teachers Allie Kohne, Erin Carlson, and Maddie Swayne—as well as first-grade teachers Melanie Brundage and Brittney Seidel. 

  To select students for the talent show, they hold auditions and cut any acts that are too long or haven’t been rehearsed. Erica Knowlton states that she believes the impact is, “How kids see themselves as helpers. They are young and can still make a difference.” And how a community can come together, “They also see that if everyone does a little, it makes a big impact.” The directors of Black Forest’s Talent Show also explain the importance of this because while being able to get them to connect to the situation at such a young age, saying, “We talk about how it helps really sick kids, and they can relate to wanting the opportunity to relax and have fun with their family and friends. 

  Now, although this is their big money hitter, they also celebrate Wish Week with spirit days. Students have the opportunity to put money into bins corresponding to different hair colors, and the option with the most money becomes Mrs. Knowlton’s next hair color. Last year, the hair color that won was teal, and this year she finished with a new red hairdo. In past years, they have also held snack shacks on Fridays where students can purchase snacks, stickers, and fun school supplies.

  When asked what else she would like to share she told us a story of a young girl who holds lemonade stands over the summer and saves that money to donate to Make-A-Wish during wish week and she stated, ”It’s really thoughtful for such a young person” and with her contributions, as well as many other students at Black Forest Hills raised over 3,600 dollars during the week helping CT pass the goal and raise 52,000 dollars to help Owen’s wish come true and so many others.