//MADISON PAUL//

Behind two hundred and seven thousand dollars are the students of Mountain Vista. Weeks of planning, days of work and hours of fundraising culminate into the most special week that our school produces. During the closing assembly, Je’Moni helped reveal another jaw-dropping record: $207,714.18 raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Every year, Wish Week teaches students to never take anything for granted and to count everyday as a blessing. This year we got to share that with the most outgoing, funny and selfless boy, Je’Moni. 

At 10 years old, Je’Moni is the oldest Wish kid we’ve had at Vista thus far, but this year hit different for everyone. Today at the closing assembly the student body class had the opportunity to see Je’Moni again. He came with his family and the assembly revolved around all things Je’Moni and Make-A-Wish. The first major event to take place was a Tony Award ceremony,  naming Je’Moni the Best Show Writer and Director to come to Vista. 

The reveal of how much we raised to grant more Wish Kids wishes had many students and staff feeling emotional. Our school welcomed the founders of Make-a-Wish, Be A Good Person (BAGP) and Love your Laces back for another record breaking year. 

Without Make-A-Wish, our school wouldn’t have the unique opportunity of celebrating Wish Week. Be A Good Person has made our shirts for the past five years and personally relates the shirts to our theme for the week. Love your Laces made bracelets this year that have a white, black, blue, purple and green thin lace — each color represents past Wish kids we’ve hosted at Vista. To say it in simple terms: our school is so full of opportunity. 

Founder and CEO of Love your Laces, Phillip Cruz, brought Je’Moni a pair of colorful Nike shoes with a pair of BAGP laces laced into them. The look on Je’Moni’s face when he got them was priceless, and he put them on immediately. 

We were also joined by Darian Simon and Julian Donaldson, the founders of Be A Good Person. They are a huge part of Vista’s Wish Week because of their partnership with our school in recent years. 

After the assembly finished, Je’Moni’s mother had eyes full of tears. 

“This week has been indescribable. These kids who don’t even know my son but have put so much time, effort and dedication into this week,” she said. “My husband and I are in shock.” 

His parents have been so grateful watching their son have fun. 

“When you are going through such a dark time, it’s moments like this that bring light,” Ford said. “It’s the light that gets us through the hard times and it makes us realize theres always light at the end of the tunnel.” 

Wish Week 2020 was like no other. This year we met and had the opportunity to learn about JeMoni’s family. We continued a positive tradition throughout the school, further propelling the message behind Be A Good Person. We helped change lives.