Emily Hyland, now 6 years old, weighed only two pounds when she was born. She spent three months in intensive care and doctors didn't expect her to live. Emily was born 12 weeks premature and because of that she has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, lung disease, and multiple other medical problems.

Three Steel Valley High School students and The Future Is Mine Members, Ian, Danyelle, and Jen, were challenged to create a "Pay it Forward" project in their work study class. The students saw a local article about Emily and really wanted to find a way to help her! Hence, creating "Pennies for Emily", where classrooms district wide raised money to help Emily get her dog! With the idea of "it takes a village to raise a child", students urged each other to donate to a worthy cause, making every penny count!

"The students, teachers, and administrations did an excellent job in helping raise the funds" said Steel Valley The Future Is Mine Advisor/ Pennies for Emily Coordinator, Ryan Dunmire. "I was truly amazed at the support the community gave to this project as well. Individual community members gave donations, CoGo's on West Run Road put a jar out on their counter to collect additional funds, and Tri Boro Federal Credit Union assisted us in the coin counting at no charge and their employees even donated their time/ additional money! It really makes me proud to live in this area", said Dunmire.

"The project couldn't have happened without the support of parents, students, teachers, administration, and School Board. TFIM students Emily, Kasey, and Mike assisted myself, Ms. Denise Cullen, Mr. Shawn McCallister, and Mr. Dennis Keesecker in the counting/collecting of the funds. These students and district personnel played an imperative role in the program's success. There was a lot of time spent counting/collecting coins, one person couldn't have done it alone," commented Dunmire.

Congratulations to the following teachers for collecting the most funds per building! Mr. Edwards- Franklin $258.87 Ms. O'Shell- Park $215.03 Ms. Bost- Barrett $189.90 Mr. Owston- Middle School $897.89 Ms. Ellis- High School $447.63

Winning homerooms will win a party on Friday March 5th!

Click here to read an article on the Trib's website.

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