Garfield Re-2 Schools Rally to Support Make-A-Wish Kid Violeta During District-Wide Wish Week

RIFLE, CO — For children facing critical illness, a wish can be more than a moment of happiness, it can be a turning point. For Violeta, a four-year-old cancer survivor from western Garfield County, that turning point is a dream of meeting her favorite K-Pop group, TWICE.

Garfield Re-2 School District will honor that hope during Make-A-Wish Week. In Garfield Re-2, February 9–12 Rifle and Coal Ridge High Schools will hold a variety of assemblies, spirit days, and community events designed to raise awareness and support for wish kids like Violeta.

Violeta loves pink and purple, slime, stuffed animals, dancing, and K-Pop groups like TWICE, BLACKPINK, and NewJeans. After an intense medical journey that included chemotherapy and surgery, Violeta is now cancer-free. Her wish marks a powerful moment of hope and celebration for her and her family

“Wishes are not just moments of joy,” said Kathryn Nichols, Coal Ridge High School counselor and Student Council sponsor. “Research shows they can be a turning point in a child’s treatment, helping relieve trauma, improve emotional well-being, and give children strength to keep fighting.”

Community members can make donations at either Rifle or Coal Ridge High School, and everyone is encouraged to attend the Rifle vs Coal Ridge basketball games at Rifle High School on Thursday, February 12. The girls varsity game is 5:30 p.m. and boys varsity game begins at 7 p.m. Money raised at the community dinner of pizza and ice cream will go to Make-A-Wish Foundation.

School Schedules

Coal Ridge Schools

• Monday, Feb. 9: Character Day (Hello Kitty, Phineas & Ferb, K-Pop Demon Hunters)
• Tuesday, Feb. 10: Stuffed Animal Day ($1 donation)
• Wednesday, Feb. 11: Crazy Hair/Make-Up Day or Hat Day ($1 donation)
• Thursday, Feb. 12: Pink & Purple Day
• Assembly: 1 p.m. at Coal Ridge High School

Rifle Schools

• Monday, Feb. 9: Pajama & Stuffie Day / Make-Your-Own Slime Night
• Tuesday, Feb. 10: Pre-K Fashion Day / Cancer Awareness Day
• Wednesday, Feb. 11: Duo Day (Phineas & Ferb) / Culver’s Night (5–8 p.m.)
• Thursday, Feb. 12: Pink & Purple Day
• Assembly: 10:30 a.m. at Rifle High School

The week will culminate with a Coal Ridge vs. Rifle basketball game and a community dinner at Rifle High School, bringing students, families, and the broader community together in support of Violeta and wish kids everywhere.

“Wish Week reminds our students that even small acts of kindness can make a powerful difference,” said Eric Caro, Assistant Principal of Rifle High School and Student Council sponsor. “This is about empathy, hope, and showing up for one another. The fact that it is a local child makes it even better.”