Wantagh Middle School students want everyone to have a healthy heart. That’s why they collectively raised more than $9,000 for the American Heart Association in the annual Hoops for Heart competition.

It was the 27th year that the school has raised money for the organization. Students participated in basketball shooting contests during their physical education classes, with teachers Eileen Keener, Thomas Liguori, Gary Reh and Keith Sachs. The winner from each class advanced to a schoolwide competition on March 3.

With eighth graders cheering from the bleachers, the 34 contestants battled it out until there were 12 finalists – six boys and six girls. They then participated in another round until a winner emerged from each group. And two champions just happened to be siblings, Alexander and Ava DeVita, who were presented with trophies. 

After the competition was over, the three middle school students who raised the most money for the American Heart Association this year were recognized. Victoria Guber, Bridgid Reilly and Logan Scrivanich each collected more than $750, and together their donations totaled about $2,400 – nearly a quarter of the money the school raised.

As a reminder of the cause, the gymnasium walls were covered in red paper hearts, on which students wrote words of encouragement or messages in honor of a loved one who battled heart disease.