In May of 2002, Cedar Creek Middle School put together a twelve-hour charity dance.  All the money raised and donated was sent to Duke's Children Miracle Network and Franklin County United Way.  We raised a lot of money and had a lot of fun.

   I was part of Mr. Meyers' after school group.  Once or twice a week we would meet.  After Christmas we decided to start putting together the charity dance.  It wasn't easy, but in a short amount of time and a lot of hard work, we put together a successful dance.  Everyone felt like we had done something to help, which we did, and we felt good because we had made a difference.

   It wasn't until this past December, that what we had done really hit me.  I had gone with my best friend, Tiffany Klein, to Duke hospital.  While we were there we went to the children's hospital. We only got to talk to one little girl who looked to be about six or seven years old. We talked to her briefly and asked her simple questions.  I had asked what her favorite thing to do was and she said in almost a whisper, "I like to play outside." She told us she hadn't been outside in a long time.  She had two ivies in her arm, and she was just lying in her bed. It broke my heart, and as we were leaving this little, helpless girl's room, I couldn't help but fight back tears.  Can you imagine what she must feel like?  Can you imagine what all those kids must feel like?

   While Tiffany and I were walking and talking, we noticed the artwork the kids had drawn hanging on the walls.  I realized they are normal kids, sick but normal.  Just like you and me were at one point in our life.

   We saw more kids under the age of ten in their rooms with their families, as we were leaving the children's hospital.  Some had wires coming out of their heads, some had ivies coming out of their arms in four or five different places.  I remember one child was screaming.  The pain and suffering these kids go through every day made me think how lucky I am.

   Duke's Children Miracle Network is an awesome program.  Some of the people who I go to school with are coming back to the middle school with me to help Mr. Meyer plan another dance.  I feel like I need to help give back.  The money we had raised was a lot, but that day it seemed like so little.  The kids at that hospital are there for a reason.  I want to help make the time they spend there be as easy on them, and their families, as possible.  With this charity dance, I think we make a big difference.

Jenna Kettyle

Franklinton High School

Ninth Grade