14 May 2017

St. Peter's student raises most money nationally for Jump Rope for Heart

This morning I was both pleased and surprised to learn that a student at St. Peter's School in Quincy raised more money than any other student in the nation for the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart campaign.

Ella Sprague had no idea when she was recognized during a school assembly she had raised more money through the American Heart Association's Jump Rope for Heart than any other student in the country. 
A New Canton, Ill., resident, Ella, 10, knew at $13,644 she had raised more than anyone else in the school, and she had a pretty good shot at being top in the state. When her peers jumped to their feet in a standing ovation during the April 24 assembly, she was shocked. 
"I don't do it for the attention," Ella said. "I just want to give back." 
Born with a hypoplastic right heart, a rare condition in which the right side of the heart does not fully develop, Ella had two surgeries before she was two. Having survived the early ordeal, she now wants to help other children who may be facing similar circumstances. 
"Ella is in a special situation, and she takes great pride in giving back," said Ella's father, Ted Sprague. "We're all extremely proud, and we feel it's important to teach children the significance of fundraising and giving back."
Ella almost singled-handedly doubled St. Peter School's goal of raising $7,500 through Jump Rope for Heart. The school brought in more than $20,000 [more].

Congratulations, Ella!

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