Last spring, Ridge Park Charter Academy eighth grader Htoo Say and the school's championship kickball team, The Goats, showed what happens when students put the Moral Focus™ virtue of Compassion into action.
The Goats raised $2,290.11 for the American Heart Association to support children with heart conditions through sales of their Goat Bags which contained snacks, goat tattoos/stickers, American Heart Association keychains, and other treats.
But they didn't stop there. Inspired by their fundraising partnership with American Heart Association, Htoo spent weeks creating handmade cards for children at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Together, Htoo and her teammates personally delivered the cards to young patients, turning a simple act of kindness into an unforgettable experience.
Cards created by the Goats Kickball team for children at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
"I think the children in the hospital will know there are people out there who notice, care about, and think about them," Htoo said. "They'll know they are loved and that they're not going through things alone."
For Physical Education Teacher Steve Mercado, the project was a powerful reminder that compassion doesn't depend on how much someone has.
"Some of our families don't have the means to buy anything extra, yet we still saw students raising money to help others," Mercado said. "When Htoo asked if she could make cards for children she had never met, I was humbled. Watching her follow through and hand-deliver them made me incredibly proud."
The hospital visits also gave students a new perspective. They met children facing serious health challenges and saw firsthand the care provided by doctors and nurses. Mercado hopes the experience inspires future students to lead with empathy and remember that everyone is fighting a battle others may not see.
Ashley Verhey (nurse) Michele Van Duyn (Ridge Park Middle School Dean of students) Iqra Bare, Iman Aminu, Fanta Lonpeah, Htoo Say delivering their cards to children at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
The Goats felt the impact, too.
"I was proud because we worked together to raise money for a great cause," said team member Fanta Lowpeah. "When we worked together, we did something amazing."
As another school year begins, Ridge Park students are proving that some of the most important lessons aren't found in textbooks. They're learned by showing compassion to others.
About Ridge Park Charter Academy
Ridge Park Charter Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving students in Young 5s through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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