Knights scoot their boots to raise cash for kids

Boots, belt buckles, and beer -- root beer, that is -- flew off the shelves and jumped on to the dance floor at Colony High's Christmas Gone Country Charity Dance.

Crowds of closet cowboys dodged spurs and heavy boots as they learned the art of line dancing and ordered another round.

It all started on the drawing board in Colony's leadership classroom as a fund-raiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The organization grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Anything from trips and toys to staged superhero stardom are made possible by donations collected throughout the state. Joining the cause, the leadership class committed to raising $5,000 by the end of the year. If accomplished this will be the largest contribution by a high school in the state.

Conoco Phillips has also agreed to match whatever donations Colony raises, making the final amount $10,000.

It's a true statement at Colony that those who work hard, play hard. The many hours spent organizing turned into one of the most successful dances to date.

Sophomore Heather Larson responded afterward, "This is the first dance I've really had fun at, and the guys in their tight Wranglers made it even better."

Even the administration was amazed by the participation.

Vice principal Randy Merrill remarked, "If all dances were like this, I'd have one every weekend."