Edmond Memorial High School’s Swine Week wrapped up this afternoon with the final assembly and the announcement of the total money raised. This year, all Swine Week proceeds went to Peaceful Family Oklahoma, which is an organization that works to break the cycle of addiction from parents to their children. Throughout the week EMHS students raised a total of $332,892.

“This is a game changer for us. I am just elated and in awe of you guys. I’m also really sad because I just don’t want [Swine Week] to end,” Peaceful Family President and Executive Director Lisa Reed said. 

As students filed into the main gym, the first sight was the PiggyVision mural with a collection of references to paintings from various time periods and iconic figures throughout the decades. It was the first piece everyone viewed, while also accompanied by Cosmic Skye performing to ease the growing anticipation of the reveal of the total. Once the crowd died down and the band wrapped up their performance, student council adviser Elanna Dobbs greeted everyone by announcing the auction and introducing the national anthem’s three performers, Paige Medley, Aubrey Robichaux and Simon Hollrah. 

After the anthem, a speaker for this year’s common thread, which is a chosen non-profit where all three philanthropy weeks of the Edmond High Schools donate 5% to that organization, spoke of his gratitude for donations raised for Project 66. Next was Reed to enter the stage as she too talked of her gratitude towards the effort EMHS had put into Swine Week. Dobbs then came back to the stage, initiating a recap video made by broadcasting, highlighting moments from each day’s assembly. 

“I want to say that this exceeds my expectations but it doesn’t,” Reed said. “The students that I have come to know over the past several months, this is exactly what I would expect from them. It’s just such a rich tradition.”

Next was the traditional auction, led by auctioneer and EMHS alumni Katy Brown. Several items were auctioned off, including five paintings made by EMHS students and art teachers, the highest going for $2,400. Additionally, the auction sold reserved year-round parking spots, which earned over $1,000 each.

“I’m really happy with how Swine Week went, and I’m really glad that I was able to do it as treasurer,” StuCo Treasurer Jackson Pollard said.

Continuing, Dobbs, followed by Pollard, applauded all of the contributors that made Swine Week happen. These contributors include the Special Olympics, cheer and pom, Class of 1994 and many EPS middle and elementary schools donating hundreds to thousands of dollars for the Swine Week cause. The crowd applauded the custodians, administrators, the Edmond community and the sponsors, as their contributions impacted Swine Week. 

“Watching these kids seriously come up with every avenue possible to raise money was incredible,” Dobbs said. 

Moments after the final money run earnings were counted, children from Edmond middle and elementary schools took the stage with the number behind thin sheets of paper. After a drumroll by the students, the sheets dropped, revealing that EMHS students had come together to raise a total of $332,892. Tears began streaming, and the emotional hugs began, before concluding with one last swag surf.

“It was a blast. We just had so much fun, and we laughed so hard. It was all just so over the top and exceeds anything I could ever do by myself,” Reed said.

With Swine Week coming to a close, all students, faculty and donors involved celebrated their dedication and hard work throughout the week and in the months leading up to it. Swine Week has benefited hundreds of thousands of kids over the years and will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come. 

“Unless someone experiences [Swine Week] for themself there is literally no description for it,” Dobbs said. There are just no words for it.”

Contact Jordan Graham and Macey Thaxton at [email protected]