Winchester High School Students Bring Cheer to UK Markey Patients

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2013) -- The season of thankfulness and giving is upon us and students and faculty from George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Ky., are among those stepping up to help others.

Last week, students from the school delivered gift boxes to the UK Markey Cancer Center to spread holiday cheer. The boxes each contained candy and painted eggs that were hollowed out -- when cracked open, the eggs contained an inspirational quote for the patient.

The school group that was responsible for putting these gift boxes together was iTime, a new program to GRC this year. iTime is an academic-free activity chosen by students at the beginning of the year. This specific program was called Community Service iTime.

A group of around 10 iTime students volunteered in the creation of the gift boxes, with the supervision and help from school faculty and the high school's principal. Participating students were sophomores and freshmen.

Makayla Arnett, a sophomore at GRC and the student in charge of organizing the school group's donation, has a special place in her heart for those battling with cancer, which inspired her to suggest Markey as the recipient of the group's efforts.

"Throughout my life, cancer has been present in multiple family members and friends," Arnett said. "My uncle, being the closest, was like my second dad. When he was diagnosed, they sent him to Markey, and throughout those three years, Markey was a huge part of our lives."