The LPHS student body gathered for an assembly on Feb. 7, and they welcomed a very special guest—Harper Ledford.
Harper, a 3-year-old girl battling cancer, was the focus of this year’s Make-A-Wish Week at Lewis-Palmer High School. Ranger Nation stepped up to play a part in making her dream trip to Disney World a reality in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants life-changing wishes for children facing critical illnesses.
On April 1, 2024, Harper’s life—and her family’s—changed forever when she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, a cancer of the blood. Harper endured eight to nine months of intense treatment last year and is now in the maintenance phase, receiving daily chemotherapy for the next 18 months.
The assembly’s theme celebrated Harper’s love for the Disney movie, “Frozen.” StuCo led the student body in singing “Let It Go,” from the movie as cell phone flashlights swayed in the gym. Students also presented Harper with a handmade cardboard castle with personal notes of encouragement adorning the back.
Harper already had a connection to the LPHS community. Her father, Zach Ledford, is an assistant coach for the school’s hockey team, and her mother, Katie, attended the assembly, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support.
“I got very emotional at the beginning because to me, it feels like our entire community has our back,” Katie said. “This is the toughest thing our family has ever been through. To feel the support of the community behind us and her means everything.”
For the past seven years, LPHS has participated in Make-A-Wish Week, raising more than $50,000 for the foundation to help kids’ dreams come true. This year, StuCo organized a variety of fundraising activities with a goal of raising $15,000. They sold pink—Harper’s favorite color— Make-A-Wish t-shirts, and in a powerful show of solidarity, several students and staff shaved their heads live at the assembly. Local business Scheels also pledged to match donations from the Feb. 7 LPHS hockey game, up to $1,000.
“Today was about helping our community and a special child like Harper,” said Gabi Zimmerman, sophomore. “They’ve gone through so much. We want to help however we can. This day has given us joy to help a sweet girl like her.”
Plans are well underway for Harper’s dream to come true. The Ledford Family—including mom, dad, brother, and two grandmothers—are scheduled to visit the happiest place on earth this October.
