By Conrad Dudderar
Senior Staff Writer
A philanthropic effort presented by Yukon High School students will help a Yukon eighth grader who has a rare disease.
Millers Improving Local Lives (MILL) Week is the new name of Yukon High School students’ annual philanthropic week.
MILL Week 2019 will be March 9-15 with activities organized by members of the YHS Leadership Class and Student Council.
Yukon business and community leaders learned about the upcoming MILL Week during Thursday’s Yukon Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon.
“We would love to have Yukon’s best on our side,” YHS freshman Leadership student Kaylee Ritchey told the lunch crowd.
Through MILL Week, these dedicated students will raise funds to purchase an accessible lift van for Yukon Middle School student Antonius Acre. The van will help transport Antonio in his motorized chair.
Antonius has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a rare disease that causes severe atrophy of the muscles and many other health issues. His parents and brother Alex are YHS graduates and his sister Angel is a YHS junior.
After spinal fusion surgery, Antonius has been confined to a motorized wheelchair. His family previously had lifted him in and out of a manual wheelchair in their car, but this is no longer possible after the surgery.
Antonius’ supporters say the 14-year-old loves school and his friends, and they just want to “see him be a kid again.”
To meet its mission, YHS MILL Week 2019 organizers are relying on the support and generosity of residents and businesses across Yukon and surrounding areas.
Many activities are planned during MILL Week 2019, highlighted by:
• March 9 – Pancake breakfast, car show and daddy/daughter dance.
• March 10 – PowderPuff games.
• March 11 – Kickoff assembly, spaghetti dinner, community movie night, and silent auction.
• March 12 – Dodgeball tournament.
• March 13 – Carnival and student/faculty basketball game.
• March 14 – PowderBuff games.
• March 15 – Closing assembly.
There will be spirit days during MILL Week to encourage Yukon elementary, middle and high school students to dress up according to that day’s theme.
As a few examples, students will dress as their favorite teachers one day; and wear pajamas, green, and tie-dye shirts on other days.
Yukon restaurants are pitching in to support MILL Week by donating a portion of proceeds on designated dates and times to support the cause.
MILL Week promotes community growth and prosperity as symbolized by Yukon’s historic Main Street flour mill. The mill represents the hard-working, dedicated community members who helped put Yukon, Oklahoma “on the map.”
To contribute, contact Jamie Tate at Jamie.tate@yukonps.com or 919-8377.
