By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Helena Intermediate School students and teachers participated in the “Great Kindness Challenge” the week of Jan. 23, and they took the opportunity to help one of their own classmates who is currently enduring a tough battle with leukemia.

HIS fourth grader Kylie Hosey was diagnosed with leukemia at the beginning of the 2016-17 school year and since that time has been dealing with months of treatments.

On Jan. 26, Helena Intermediate School showed just how much they are fighting with Kylie by making the day all about her.

Helena Intermediate School students, teachers and parents showed their kindness in a big way as $4,023.15 was collected to be given to Hosey and her family and she continues to fight leukemia in the coming months.

The hallways and classrooms were filled with a large number of orange shirts and pullovers as orange represents the color for leukemia awareness.

A large number of students and teachers were also wearing gray and orange T-shirts with the phrases “#TeamKylie” and “Kiss Cancer Goodbye.”

Helena Intermediate School teachers Cindy Johnston and Ansley Weathers had Hosey as a student in their classrooms and are especially close to her as well as the students.

Students in both Johnston’s and Weathers’ classes all made their way to the playground and formed an orange ribbon to take a photo that Hosey will be able to see.

“Kylie is so precious and we are fighting with her,” Johnston said.

Another highlight of the day was the creation of a “Kicking it with Kylie” get well banner in the HIS cafeteria. Students signed the banner and included encouraging messages that will be delivered to Hosey in the hospital.