FFCHS and Fountain community helps 7-year-old’s wish come true

7-year-old Cedric got to swim with dolphins thanks to help from Fountain-Fort Carson High School and the Fountain community. 

Last year, the school’s student council decided to work with Make-a-Wish Colorado to help grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. They were inspired to do this after hearing 7-year-old Cedric’s story. Cedric is from Cheyenne Wells, Colorado, and was diagnosed with Leukemia. Student council first learned about Cedric at a student council conference where Make-A-Wish presented. Senior Maria A Quintero Riano says she was moved by the presentation. 

“I wanted to help make Cedric’s wish become a reality due to the fact that I developed such a strong connection with the joy and hope that the faces of the children displayed,” said Quintero Riano.  

She ended up presenting a fundraising idea to student council and FFCHS Principal Dr. Patrick Krumholz, which was approved. 

“Seeing how granting the wish of a child has the potential to generate hope and happiness through their struggles was something that I believed FFCHS had the potential to accomplish and would make a difference,” said Quintero Riano. 

The school organized a Wish Week fundraiser in the Spring of 2022, which included an assembly, 5K Color Run, movie night, and dine to donate. It was all dolphin-themed based on Cedric’s wish. 

“I wanted to bring to Fountain-Fort Carson a project that would not only unite our student body but the community as well. Ideally, I wanted to provide the Fountain community with a vision/goal we could all work towards accomplishing,” said Quintero Riano.  

The school ended up raising over $13,000, which went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant wishes like Cedric’s. According to student council advisor, Elizabeth Carland, the funds were used to grant two wishes and helped with a third. 

In early 2023, students were excited to see pictures from Cedric’s trip that he took in back September. 

“Seeing Cedric’s smile when swimming with the dolphins was definitely a moving experience. Knowing that I helped make Cedric’s wish come true makes me feel fortunate and definitely excited,” said Quintero Riano.