PHS students (L-R), Bryce Williams, Ian Paget, Brian Petty and Bonnie Beckner raise money for Christian "Curly" Leyva's funeral.

Further Information:
Country Bank
Donations can be made to the "In Memory of Christian "Curly" Leyva" account at any Country Bank branch.

UPDATE: AS OF NOON TODAY - WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29 - THE STUDENTS HAVE RAISED CLOSE TO $10,000, PLUS A DONOR WHO SAID THEY'LL MAKE UP ANY DIFFERENCE IF NEEDED!

This is just a bunch of kids who have gotten together to do something right," says Ian Paget, 17, a junior at Prescott High School (PHS).

Paget and dozens of other PHS kids have already raised close to $8000 in just two days - which is a pretty remarkable feat - but they're not done. They want to raise at least $11,000 to pay for the funeral of their friend, Christian "Curly" Leyva, 16, who died this weekend in an automobile accident.

"Our friend, he might be alive today if he had been wearing his seatbelt," said Paget, one of Leyva's closest friends. "We don't want this to repeat itself ever again."

And so, in addition to raising money; the kids have also started a "Click-It for Curly" campaign, to help raise awareness of seatbelt safety amongst high school students. As part of their dual effort, they are selling bumper stickers for $5 that say, "Click-It for Curly" and "Buckle Up fo' Curly."

"We want to raise awareness about auto safety, and tell people to drive safely," Paget says. "Kids have a bad rap already with how they drive and we're trying to help fix that. Where better to start than at a high school? We don't want to repeat this ever again."

Prescott High School has a policy that prevents the students from raising money on campus. But, "The Rock" an outreach program from Young Life, located directly across the street from PHS, has stepped in to offer help. Tuesday, a barbeque was held at The Rock, raising close to $1000 just at lunch time. John Mackin, the director of The Rock, explained, "A bunch of guys on the football team asked if they could do this, and we said, 'yes!' because this is great. It's been all kids. And it's been cool to see a bunch of kids come together and do all this. They've already raised like over $6000, which is really cool. We knew Christian a little bit, so we like helping any way we can. Any way to help kids, we're all about that."

Drive by Prescott High School this week and you are likely to see students in bright pink shirts and pajama bottoms or sweats, and cars with "RIP Curly" written on back windshields. This is all part of the student effort to remember and honor their friend, whom they affectionately called 'Curly'.

PHS students show their support in ways such as this.

When asked if the pink was one of Leyva's favorite colors, Paget laughed. "No, it wasn't, but it's just in honor of him. Instead of wearing blue or something, pink is - you go out of your way to do it. I mean, most guys don't honestly wear pink that much, and this week we're going out of our way to wear pink to honor him."

Paget, a junior at Prescott High School, is helping to coordinate the efforts. Paget knew Leyva for a long time, "...from preschool to last Saturday," he said sadly.

"If you care to donate, you can go to Country Bank and donate in memory of Christian "Curly" Leyva. Anything would help, any money at all... if you can donate ... for our friend, we're just trying to help out in everyway that we can."

When Paget was asked what made him decide to do something, he replied, "His mother needed our help, and I've known him for over 11 years now, and we just want to do everything that we can; and what better way than helping him get a decent burial, and helping his family out? It feels great to do this kind of stuff and I'm just glad I can help Christian."

It's Amazing What A Group of Kids Can Do

Football helmets will be passed around during the next few football games to collect donations from spectators. The football helmets were donated by Bradshaw Mountain High School.

They will raffle off a barbeque during the Freshman football game Wednesday night (that was last night). The barbeque was donated by Home Depot.

Other fundraisers are being planned, watch Prescott eNews for details as they are released.

Paget and his friends have been remarkably organized and successful in their efforts - it's been only two days and they've raised close to $8000. But, they're not at all cocky about what they've done, instead, they're grateful for the support the community has offered. From stickers for the "Click-It for Curly" campaign, to cash to items to raffle - the entire Prescott community has pulled together overnight to help a mom pay for her son's funeral.

And that community is being led by a bunch of kids wearing pink and black, who just want to do something that is right.

Donations

Donations may be made at any Country Bank location. Please specify that it is the "In Memory of Christian "Curly" Leyva" account. All proceeds will be given to the family to help with the medical and burial expenses.

Funeral Arrangements

There will be a viewing at Hampton Funeral Home on Friday, August 31, from 3:30-6:30 pm.

Services will be held at Calvary Chapel at 10 am. After the funeral, there will be a burial at the Mountain View Cemetery. According to Paget, they are trying hard to get a plot which will overlook the PHS football field.

Editor's note: The students have expressed their profound gratitude to all the businesses that have contrbuted so far. They will be providing a list of donors to Prescott eNews which will we will publish here as soon as we receive it.

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