As the new graduates of Frisco ISD’s Centennial High School plan the next step in their lives - whether it’s college or work - they hope to leave behind a legacy for helping others.

In the week leading up to graduation, student leaders of the Class of 2014 had an idea. While others might consider planning a senior prank, they organized a fundraiser to benefit the family of one of their classmates. 

Haylee Harden had no idea the effort was supporting her family of six. Neither did all but a few of her fellow students. Organizers simply said they were collecting donations as a senior gift to a family in the Titan community struggling financially due to cancer. 

Harden didn’t see it coming when Centennial Senior Class President Megan Ayers and Student Council Treasurer Alejandra Magaña showed up at her work on June 5 with an envelope containing nearly $6,800. Harden’s father Jason is battling advanced colon cancer.

“This is the most amazing thing that anyone could ever do,” Harden said. “It will be very helpful.”

The family will use the money to cover medical costs and other bills.

“Words cannot explain how much this means,” said Harden’s mom Linda. “We’re just so grateful. It’s refreshing to see young people give up their time and money to do something like this. It’s just not something you see very often.”

Ayers said students wanted to leave a positive legacy as they graduated from Centennial.

“Just by us helping this family, our hope was to inspire other schools and future senior classes at CHS to give back to their community when they have the chance,” she said.