School raises money in student's memory
Five years ago, Brittany Valene, a third-grader who suffered from a congenital heart condition, fainted at her Carol Stream school and died just days short of her ninth birthday.
Since her passing in February 2005, Brittany's school, Heritage Lakes Elementary, has dedicated an annual fundraiser for the American Heart Association in her honor. Tens of thousands of dollars have been collected, including $12,000 during this year's event.
Still, the students and educators who knew Brittany wanted to do something more for the bright, energetic 8-year-old who forever touched their lives.
"They have the tradition over at Heritage for Brittany, and we wanted to do the same thing here," said Jay Stream Middle School Assistant Principal Craig Shank, who was a physical education teacher at Heritage Lakes when Brittany died. "So we decided to have a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and see if that starts a tradition here."
The inaugural Brittany Valene Memorial Hoops for Heart 3-on-3 basketball tournament runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at Jay Stream Middle School, 283 El Paso Lane, Carol Stream.
More than 80 boys and girls - ranging from fourth-graders to high school students - are expected to participate in the tournament that will benefit the American Heart Association. Winning teams in each of the tournaments' four grade brackets will receive commemorative T-shirts.
People are welcome to come watch the games throughout the day and buy raffle tickets, available for $1 each or $5 for six. Raffle ticket holders don't need to be present for the drawings to win prizes, which have a minimum $50 value and include gift cards for restaurants and department stores.
"It's not about how much money we raise," Shank said. "It's not about winning and losing in the tournament. It's more about raising awareness of heart disease and stroke."
Brittany suffered from long QT syndrome, a heart rhythm disorder that can result in a fast, irregular heartbeat. To this day, several students from Brittany's class, now in eighth grade, are working to raise awareness about long QT.
Bari Flores, a physical education teacher who helped Shank start the fundraiser at Heritage Lakes, said doing an event at Jay Stream is a great idea that has the potential to grow.
"It's a community event," she said. "Students from all the elementary schools, all the junior highs and Glenbard North (High School) were invited to participate."
Shank said Brittany's friends hope the tournament becomes a tradition so they can come back each year when they're attending high school.
Meanwhile, Flores said the tournament is the perfect community service project because it emphasizes all the principles taught in physical education classes.
"Health is for a lifetime," Flores said. "We need to start by making healthy choices about what we eat and how we exercise."
To support the event by donating money online, visit americanheart.org/hoops, click on "register," click on "Illinois," find "Jay Stream School" and join the school team. Then fill out your information and make a donation.
If you goWhat: Brittany Valene Memorial Hoops for Heart 3-on-3 Basketball TournamentWhy: Proceeds benefit the American Heart AssociationWhen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 20Where: Jay Stream Middle School, 282 El Paso Lane, Carol StreamTickets: Free; Raffle tickets and concessions will be soldInfo: (630) 462-8940False20001283Craig Shank, assistant principal at Jay Stream Middle School in Carol Stream, is helping students launch a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in memory of Brittany Valene, a classmate who died when they were in elementary school.Bev Horne | Staff PhotographerFalse