Parker County Today PCT March 2019 | Page 23

Heath Month.”  Maci is homeschooled due to her busy show schedule but also takes dual-credit classes at Weatherford College. She has served as a lead mentor and volunteer at a special needs camp called Mission Possible for the past three years, and trav- eled to help in the Texas Panhandle when they were devastated by wild- fires. Maci also speaks at several civic groups within the community throughout the year.  After high school, she plans to go to Texas Tech to major in animal science, possibly either pre-vet or pre-med, maybe pediatric cardiology.  Sean McCarthy Giving back to the community  Aledo High School junior Sean McCarthy enjoys his time as a member of the rodeo team and angler club. But it was a challenge in fifth grade that began his Good Samaritan initiatives. McAnally Intermediate teacher Sara Reed became inspired by the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” and decided to follow their lead by creating a challenge for her students. She put up a $50 grant with the stipu- lation that the money would be used on a big idea that would change the world.  “Sean’s idea was just that [big],” Reed said. “His idea was to buy as many pizzas as he could with the money in order to feed the homeless. He thought of pizza because it was his favorite food and he knew that people living on the street might not get this luxury very often.” Knowing that $50 would not go far, he went out into the community to get donations and was able to secure more than $600 that enabled him to buy over 120 pizzas. “I was speechless when his moth- er emailed me a couple of months after receiving his money to share his determination. I was honored to join him on one of his trips to down- town Fort Worth to pass out food alongside him. It is one day that will always have a special place in my heart. Since Sean left McAnally, he has continued to make a difference in the community through his pizza deliveries and riding in charity events to benefit cancer awareness,” Reed continued.  Sean said the experience showed him how some people have to live and made him grateful for what he has. “It felt really nice because there was one guy who said, ‘Oh man, I don’t know how long it’s been since I had some take-out pizza,’” Sean said. “They seemed to be really excited and kept saying, ‘God bless you and have a nice day!’” he said. Continued on page 24 Making Swimming & Water Safety Fun...Year Round! • Weatherford, TX Monday-Thursday 9am-8pm • 817.599.7946 Friday: 10am-6pm • theswimlessonpeople.com Saturday: 9am-12pm 1110 E Bankhead Dr Jump start your child’s swimming with an intensive learn to swim class 21