Fourteen Edgecomb Eddy School students took their shot at wiping out heart disease. The students participated in the annual Hoops for Heart fundraiser sponsored by the American Heart Association. Students spent 30 minutes on April 27 and 29 in the school gymnasium shooting baskets to raise money and awareness for heart disease.

This is the third year Edgecomb Eddy School students have participated in the fundraiser, according to school nurse Candie Crocker.

“I received an email about Hoops for Heart a couple years ago. It looked like something that would promote student activity and educate them about a healthy lifestyle,” Crocker said.

The top three in raising funds were Emilie Crocker, $120; Henry Boudin, $101; and Haley Clifford, $92. Crocker and Clifford participated in honor of relatives who died from heart disease. Crocker raised money in memory of her great-grandfather, Hunter.

“I received pledges from a lot of relatives who wanted to honor his memory,” Emilie Crocker said.

Clifford raised money to honor her grandfather who died when she was very young. Clifford hopes the money she raised helps others avoid heart disease.

“It’s a really serious health problem. I hope the money raises awareness for students to live a healthy lifestyle and avoid health problems later in life,” Clifford said.

Sage Kosky, Haley Clifford, Henry Boudin, Emilie Crocker, Carolyn Potter, Madison Phelps, Aliyah Bowley, Elisabeth Wallace, Abigail Clark, Kathryn-Emma Hibbard, Brynna Nelson, Connor Wenners, Spencer Wenners, and Jackson Zehm participated in the fundraiser.

The American Heart Association is the oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting stroke and heart disease, according to the organization’s website. The AHA  was begun in 1924 by six doctors. The association now has 22.5 million volunteers.