Generous high school students help family

Sisters High School students' hearts were touched when they learned of little Hannah Piete and their efforts to help her went beyond expectations.

A little over a month ago Karen Francis, Regional Program Director for Sparrow Clubs, approached students to help with an emergency.

A dire situation had arisen with a family that had been denied insurance and benefits for their daughter, Hannah, who had been diagnosed with leukemia.

Francis found Rhino Ranch & Realty willing to become Hannah's club sponsor. The students "adopted" Hannah as their Sparrow.

Rhino Ranch & Realty, owned by Dick Reinsertson put up $2,560 in "seed" money and then students put in community service at $10 per hour to earn the funds for Hannah.

Within just two short weeks students at SHS had come through with flying colors, completing the maximum 256 hours of service.

All the monies went to Hannah and her family to help with medical bills and additional expenses.

Students felt a special connection with Hannah and her family and wanted to do more.

They planned and performed a Talent Show and the $600 profit went to Hannah.

Five hundred dollars, money collected from a Coin Drive, was slated to go toward an end-of-the-year reward for the class with the most spirit points, but in the true spirit of giving students voted to instead give all the money to Hannah.

One hundred dollars was raised from a car wash and a portion of the money won from the Pepsi video competition was also donated.

Overall, Sisters High School students raised over $4,000 for Hannah and her family.

"Sisters High School is one of my favorite stories of the whole year," Francis said. "The students only had a month to respond, and they rose above and beyond the challenge. Most Sparrow Clubs have a whole year to raise their $2,560 and the students at Sisters did it in just two weeks!"

Principal Bob Macauley was also proud of the students' efforts.

"I was touched and inspired by the response of the student body. They were awesome," he said. "I know the Piete family was very excited about the kids' dedication and it touched their family deeply."

Francis said, "Most students get a heart connection when they see their Sparrow. They realize they can be a part of helping that child and their family. Maybe it's the first time in their lives they've been able to experience the joy of giving.

"I think kids today are yearning for something good and when they see this opportunity they just go for it," she said. "Most kids have compassion but they just don't know what to do with it. That's why I'm so passionate and excited about Sparrow Clubs. You see kids give for the benefit of someone other than themselves and they stand up taller and feel better about themselves."

According to Macauley, Sisters High School hopes to continue with Hannah as their Sparrow throughout her treatment.

SHS can choose to re-adopt Hannah as their Sparrow with the stipulation that they find their own sponsor.

Talya, Hannah's mother, shared more information about Hannah's medical situation: "On February 16, 2003, Hannah was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Of approximately 15,000 cases of childhood Leukemia, one percent result in a chromosomal anomaly called Hypodiploidily and that was Hannah's diagnosis.

"Hannah is one of only 22 children in the United States to undergo a new treatment protocol. Instead of the oral daily doses used primarily in standard care, Hannah receives predominantly four megadoses of chemotherapy, administered primarily at Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland."

At the beginning of her treatment at Doernbecher Hannah was given a "bravery necklace" with her name on it, as well as a beginning bead for treatment.

All subsequent beads are earned through procedures endured and therapies administered.

Beads are also given for such things as bone marrow aspirations (needle inserted into the hip for marrow), blood transfusions, hair loss, radiation, surgery, good and bad days and "pokes."

As Hannah's treatment progresses, the length of her necklace will grow and new strings will be added.

After three months of treatment Hannah's "bravery necklace" is now three feet long, contains 81 beads and is at the end of the first string.

Talya said, "We have reached that milestone with bittersweet pride."

In June of 2006, Hannah's 27-month treatment should be complete and it is estimated her necklace will extend to over 20 feet.

Students at Sisters High School have made a huge and lasting impact on the Piete family.

"In spite of the chaos that has descended upon our family," said Talya, "we still have found many reasons to feel blessed. Among them is our relationship to the students at Sisters High School.

"The love and support you have demonstrated for one little girl and her family is humbling. Your acts of charity and giving are lessons many could learn from.

"You are indeed a credit to the parents and community which raised you."