Herriman Hearts of Gold

Students at Herriman High School held their annual holiday fundraising project, Hearts of Gold, for the Children’s Justice Center of Salt Lake County. During the school’s kick off assembly, Susan Mitchell, Children’s Justice Center program director, spoke to the students. “Starting today, each and every one of us are going to make it okay for victims to come forward and have the courage to speak up about being abused and feel our support. Victims don’t expect you to fix their problem; they just want to know that they are believed and that you won’t treat them any differently just because they were victimized,” Mitchell said. “It is not just about raising funds for the charity. It is about making a change, and we won’t stop while abuse is out there. We need to solve the problem of silence,” Amy Saunders, student body president, said during the kick off assembly. The students held a variety of events and service projects to raise money, including an improv comedy night, a family carnival, doing small jobs around the community for donations and they produced a CD of student musical performances. On Dec. 23, Herriman High School presented the Children’s Justice Center with a total of $26,882.87.