Basehor-Linwood, Tonganoxie combining for 'Red Out' at Friday's football game

Archive for Thursday, October 20, 2011

Basehor-Linwood High School student Danielle Ridder (left) signs her name to the school's "Heart Hero" board as Caylea Siler, a member of the school's Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter, watches on. The board will be on display at the football game Friday against Tonganoxie.

October 20, 2011

If students have their way, the stands at the Basehor-Linwood High School football game Friday will be flooded with red — and not because of the school colors of the visiting Tonganoxie High School Chieftains.

BLHS and THS students will combine to stage a “Red Out” at the game, which is 7 p.m. Friday, to raise awareness and funds for the fight against heart disease. Both schools have red shirts with the slogan “Saving Life is a Real Sport” available for $10 donations to the American Heart Association. The shirts are available at both school buildings and will be for sale at the game.

BLHS students have raised additional money for the AHA through class competitions and pizza parties, as well. The school will also have a “Heart Hero” display at the game, where visitors can sign their name or the name of someone who died of heart disease or is currently fighting heart disease.

“Unfortunately, everyone at our school and everyone in our community has probably been affected in some way by heart disease, whether they have lost someone to heart disease or they know someone who battles heart disease,” said Haley Williams, president of the BLHS chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, in an AHA news release. “We hope that our participation in these events will increase awareness, motivate and educate our school and community members to become heart-healthy.”