Student Fundraisers Net Over $17,000 for Sumner Resident

Because of her alma mater, Sumner resident Julie Nordyke-Moltke has one less thing to worry about, at least for a while.

In , Sumner High School managed to raise over $17,000 for Nordyke-Moltke, who is suffering from a rare form of ovarian cancer.

Her bills are approaching the $1 million mark – something the Sumner High School ASB team thought it could tackle in it’s annual fundraiser and talent show, with proceeds benefitting a local person.

“Julie was so overwhelmingly right for this, because of what she’s given to the community,” said John Norlin, the Sumner High ASB moderator. “The kids wanted to help because of the person [Julie] is – so many people nominated her and they all had wonderful things to say.”

Nordyke-Moltke, an SSD alum and sixth generation Sumner resident, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer last July and found her cancer had spread to her appendix, a literal one-in-a-million chance. It burst, and the cancer spread to her abdomen. She and her family took a chance and went out-of-state for a complicated surgery at a treatment center in Illinois.

While the surgery saved her life, it cost roughly $1 million.

Nordyke-Moltke has two children in the Sumner School District and is the current president of the Sumner Historical Society.

“The ASB students have a deep, intrinsic motivation to serve. Instead of just doing a project, the students know they are really serving Julie and her family,” said Norlin. “And for Julie and her family to allow us to help… that can be a very humbling thing, especially when you’re used to serving the community yourself.”

This year, the ASB expanded their annual fundraiser to include a winter formal, held Feb. 18 at Kelly Farms. All ticket sales went to benefit Nordyke-Moltke. ASB held a silent auction and benefit dinner last week, with two Talent Show performances.

Volunteers are still counting up donations, but the fundraising total is hovering at $17,000, said SSD communications director Ann Cook.

About 700 people attended the benefit dinner and fundraiser, the dance was a success and the SHS Talent Show packed the PAC both nights.

It was the sixth year for the ASB Benefit Night, a tradition inspired by Norlin’s own experiences while at Wenatchee High School. When he was a senior, a freshman student came up with the idea of a fundraiser and talent show to benefit a local teacher, Janice Franz, who was suffering from a life-threatening illness. The first year brought in $15,000 for Franz’ family and has grown larger every year since – this year marks the 15th anniversary of the Janice Franz Talent Show, a Wenatchee tradition.

“In that initial year, the doctors gave [Franz] 6 months. She passed away on the morning of the third annual show,” said Norlin. “Her husband said he got two more years added to his life and hers thanks to what the show did for her. The power of community coming together is more valuable than any financial gain that can come from that.”

Norlin said tells that story to every ASB class, every year, to keep the spirit of service alive in his student-leadership team.

“Bringing community together and celebrating not only Julie’s life, but community in general, is the most powerful gift we can give to the family and everyone who came,” said Norlin.