Heart heroes: New Madrid Elementary students raise $11,000 for American Heart Association

NEW MADRID, Mo. —New Madrid County Elementary School students proved they have a lot of heart.

Annually students from the school participate in the American Heart Association’s Kids Heart Challenge. Through the event students are urged to be active, learn more about heart health and raise money for the AHA.

This year, the school’s students received donations totaling more than $11,000. According to Diana Comer, the school’s nurse and organizer of the event, the money is used for educational programs along with funding grants to research cures for heart disease.

As a reward for being the top fundraisers for the American Heart Association, students at New Madrid Elementary School had the opportunity to spray sill string on local "celebrities." Seated from left are Joe Ross, Pate Hogan and Dr. Sam Duncan. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

As a reward for being the top fundraisers for the American Heart Association, students at New Madrid Elementary School had the opportunity to spray sill string on local "celebrities." Seated from left are Joe Ross, Pate Hogan and Dr. Sam Duncan. (Jill Bock/Standard Democrat)

Leading the school’s fundraising efforts was fifth grader Ramsey Hogan. Ramsey’s donations totaled more than $2,000

Others honored for raising more than $250 each were: Cotton Pfeffer, Marshall Sides, Kellen Kimball, Graham Johnson, Harper Mungle, Vivian Hunt, Charlie Beth Sutton, A.J. Juarez, Adeline Eddy, John Davis Eddy, Scarlett Pikey, Sterling Sullenger, Lynlee Wallace and Sophia Kosky.