Recently, four young men at Thomas County Central High School won the hearts of their peers for a special cause.
TCCHS held the King of Hearts competition, one way the school recognized and supported the American Heart Association and its mission to promote awareness of heart disease during February, which was American Heart Month.
Six male students from each of the four grades at TCCHS were nominated by their peers to represent them in the competition. For weeks, the group of guys vied for their peers’ hearts and, at the end of voting, a winner was crowned for each grade.
“The King of Hearts competition was a fun way for the student body to raise money for the American Heart Association,” TCCHS teacher and event sponsor Teresa Carver said. “The six young men from each grade were such good sports to participate and to do their part to help gain support in the fight against heart disease.”
Each nominee had a glass jar with their picture and name on it. Voting was open during all lunch periods. To vote, students put money into the jar of their choice.
“I feel very honored to be able to represent my class in this competition and be able to help raise money for a good cause,” senior representative Zack Johnson said during the event.
Freshman representative Nick Herndon said he wouldn’t tell anyone to vote for him, but did encourage his peers to vote “because the money that is raised is going to a good cause.”
Students were allowed to vote until Feb. 18. Whoever had the most money in his jar at the end of voting was crowned his grade’s winner. The coronations took place throughout the morning of Friday, Feb. 19.
The senior winner was crowned the king of hearts, the junior winner the prince of hearts, the sophomore the duke of hearts, and the freshman winner the knight of hearts.
Reshad Daniels was the senior winner, Cole Hebron was the junior winner, Bailey Green was the sophomore winner, and Anthony Williams was the freshman winner.
“It felt great being named King of Hearts by my peers,” Reshad Daniels said. “I loved the recognition and the moment was unexplainable.”
TCCHS raised $215.52 through the competition. All proceeds went directly to the American Heart Association.
“I think our school should do this every year because we raise money for such a great cause,” junior Prince of Hearts Cole Hebron said.
Carver adds that TCCHS didn’t stop its support with the competition. It also sold T-shirts, the baseball team donated funds from one of its games, and blood pressure checks were given, all to support American Heart Association.
“The high school truly made February ‘Heart’ month,” she said.