William Blount helps Ballard family with Wristband Sales

2006-01-23
by Bonny C. Millard
of The Daily Times Staff

William Blount High School’s Student Council is selling rubber wristbands to promote unity in the student body as well as raise money for the family of a former student.

The bracelets, imprinted with the words “William Blount United, Working Together as One,” were designed by members of the Student Council, said Melody Walker, one of the faculty advisors.

Racial issues at the school surfaced last spring when threats were made against black students. The wristband is intended to encourage community pride in the school and bring students together, Walker said.

Proceeds from sales will go to the late Stan Ballard, who graduated from WBHS and was a beloved basketball coach during his career. Ballard, 40, died of a rare form of cancer in December after a courageous 10-year battle. His daughter, Chassidy, is now a student at the school.

“She’s part of our community,” said Walker, who went to school with Stan Ballard. “We’re just doing our best to help them out.”

Student Council has traditionally held fund-raisers but the wristband is something new, she said.

The students met and discussed different ideas of what they wanted to do, and they wanted something that would represent the whole school community, Walker said.

The group came up with using the school’s colors, blue and orange, in a swirled pattern with the color white. The idea of using unity and working together as a theme for the wristband also evolved.

Student Council member Lindsay Coughlin, committee leader, said the idea was shared with classmates in different grades, and they were receptive to the plan.

Another discussion centered on how to use the money generated in sales.

“We do different things, and it all depends on what is going on each year,” Walker said. “Everything we do goes back to the community.”

Walker said the students discussed several projects and came to an agreement.

“We’ve channeled our energy in a direction we thought most helpful,” Walker said. “We can’t ease their pain, but we can do something to help them out.”

The students sell the bracelets for $2 at basketball games and other school events as well as accepting donations.

To get started, Eldon donated $500 and another $385 came from the school to fund the project.

Student Council is responsible for promoting the project and selling the bracelets.

Student Council President Sarah Hicks said they sold the bracelets during a basketball game with Oak Ridge.

Several Oak Ridge fans purchased wristbands even though they were the opposing team. Ballard once coached in Oak Ridge.

Hicks said one man gave her a $20 bill and another gave her a $100 bill and told her to keep the change.

“I’m good at begging,” the senior said, grinning. “It’s just doing something better for somebody else. It’s a good thing to help people out. They deserve it.”

Student Council is also planning a fund-raiser with Uno Chicago Grill, Walker said. The restaurant works with schools by selecting a certain date and donating a percentage of the day’s sales to the school.

Students have already raised about $800, but their goal is $1,000.

“They get nothing out of it except to say that this is something we can achieve,” Walker said.

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