February 22, 2018 Vol. 18, No. 39
In This Issue BELLY DANCER
Belly Dancer, in real life is located in front of On Cue at 33rd and Kelly but is hidden somewhere in our paper this week. Email contest@ edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information see page 4.
An American hero finally home from Korea See Page 17
PHOTOS BY MELINDA INFANTE
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 Scattered T-storms High 51° Low 42°
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 Thunderstorms High 56° Low 33°
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Sunny High 62° Low 40°
This year’s edition of BALTO, or Bring a Light to Others, at North High School was called ‘Hugs for Hope.’ Needy children, mostly in the foster care system, were the beneficiaries. With matching grant funds added, the benefit raised $648,760. That was the second highest total in the 23-year history of BALTO. By Steve Gust With a theme of “Hugs for Hope,” the annual Edmond North High School benefit, BALTO, ended up raising $648,760 - to help mainly orphans and foster children. A packed Siberian Gymnasium Friday saw thousands of teens wildly cheer as the school ended up with the second highest total in the 23year history of BALTO, or Bring a Light to Others. The “Hugs for Hope,” effort includes three nonprofits, Mother Huggers, Anna’s House Foundation and Peppers Ranch. “The kids are amazing and this is so exciting,” said North principal Debreon Davis. Leading the effort were co-chairs Sydney Schuppan, a junior, and McKay Beard, a senior.
“This is the most fun week of the year,” Schuppan said. “This brings the whole school together.” Beard said she was very proud of how the student body pitched in and helped. “I came here from Texas when I was 14, and they don’t do that there,” she said. “Oklahoma does and it’s wonderful.” Both teens said they would spend the rest of their lives helping other communities and charities as well. Beth Jansen is the founder of Mother Huggers, a group empowering needy women and children here and abroad. She said what was done by North students is in stark contrast to what the nation saw earlier in the week. “Instead of the sadness the world saw this week in Florida, you bring
hope and love,” she told the thousands of North students who filled the gym, with some sitting on the floor. Before the assembly to announce the final figures, Jansen said most of the funds would be spent for facilities at Anna’s House Foundation in Luther, a group that helps foster children and Peppers Ranch Foster Care Community, helping abused and neglected children. Jansen said whatever funds were left over, Mother Huggers would use for scholarships for teens 18, leaving the foster care system. Peppers Ranch is looking to build a $1.3 million 22,000-square-foot learning facility on its Guthrie campus. Its executive director said it would have pet therapy as well continued on Page 3