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For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Angela Breer 316-518-7117, [email protected]

2016 Wichita Heart Ball Volunteer Leadership and Sweetheart Class Announced Annual event to be held February 20, 2016 at Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview

WICHITA, KS, Tuesday, August 11, 2015 – The American Heart Association is pleased to announce the selection of volunteer leadership and the incoming class of high school sophomores participating in the highly regarded Sweetheart Program for the 2016 Wichita Heart Ball.

The annual black-tie event celebrates the energy, passion and commitment of donors, healthcare providers, community leaders, sponsors, volunteers and survivors to raise funds for lifesaving research and education. Funds raised during the event support the fight against cardiovascular diseases – the leading cause of death for men and women in the each year. Over the past five years, the American Heart Association has invested more than $2.6 million in 21 studies in . Last year in Kansas alone, $1.1 million was given for seven new and continuing studies.

“The Heart Ball would not be possible without our volunteer leadership and Sweethearts that raise important funds to support our lifesaving mission. The Sweethearts learn important life skills during the program and we’re excited for this year’s class to begin,” said Metro Executive Director, Nancy Duling.

2016 Volunteer Leadership The 2016 Wichita Heart Ball is chaired by Mr. Brian Heinrichs (INTRUST Bank) and Mrs. Joy Heinrichs.

2016 Sweethearts Class The American Heart Association’s Sweetheart Program provides an opportunity for young women entering their sophomore year of high school to experience volunteering while learning more about advocacy, fundraising and how to prevent and fight heart disease and stroke by participating in activities focused on these areas. The program is designed to empower young leaders to make a positive change within their peer groups and community. Sweethearts are escorted by their fathers and introduced during the annual Heart Ball. Last year’s class raised more than $102,000 in support of the American Heart Association’s mission.

The 2016 class represents the largest group of young women in the program’s history and includes the following 30 individuals, along with the schools they represent. . Natalie Anderson – Andover High School . Sophie Braynock – Andover High School . Kathryn Bunting – Wichita Collegiate School . Emma Cailteux – Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School . Lauren Cruzeiro – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School . Cooper Degner – Andover High School . Gabrielle Dobbs – Wichita Collegiate School . Isabel Ebersole – Wichita High School East

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. Margaret Edgar – Maize South High School . Sage Edwards – Andover Central High School . Megan Elliott – Trinity Academy . Carinne Hild – Andover High School . Hayley Jones – Andover High School . Olivia Neidigh-Lloyd – Andover High School . Ashton McCorry – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School . Mackenzie Martine – Andover High School . Chase Merritt – Andover High School . Ava Mikesell – Bishop Carroll Catholic High School . Kaylin Miller – Andover High School . Christelle Nassif – Wichita East High School . Cayden Nesmith – Wichita Collegiate School . Evelyn Nguyen – Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School . Natalie Nichols – Andover High School . Emma Parkhurst – Wichita Collegiate School . Ashlyne Powers – Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School . Kaylee Stout – Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School . Olivia Thornton – Trinity Academy . Anna Wickham – The Independent School . Miriam Young – Andover High School . Shannon Young – Andover High School

To learn more about supporting the 2016 Wichita Heart Ball, the public is encouraged to contact Metro Executive Director, Nancy Duling, at 316.768.3830 or [email protected].

About the American Heart Association The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 5 leading causes of death. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved in Wichita, please call 316-768-3830 or visit www.heart.org/wichita. You may also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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