McDonald County High School teacher Debbie Shaffer was surprised when her students raised $499 to help her get a machine she needed for medical reasons.

Shaffer suffered a stroke on Dec. 27 and, in doing tests to determine why, doctors discovered she had sleep apnea. She was waking up 59 times per hour in the night and needed a BiPAP machine to help her breathe while she slept. Shaffer, who teaches family and consumer sciences at McDonald County High School, received a phone call during one of her classes letting her know the machine would cost between $800 and $1,000.

"I was visibly upset because I just don't have the money to do that, and the kids picked up on it and asked me what was wrong," she said. "So I just told them I needed this machine and I didn't have the money for it, and they took it upon themselves to organize fundraisers, without my knowledge."

The students got permission from Principal Greg Leach to hold a bake sale, to have a hat day and to do pizza sales.

"They raised $499, and I was able to find a cheaper (machine), so they covered all the cost," Shaffer said.

She said Juana Aquino spearheaded the fundraising effort. Also participating were Stephany Nunez, Jayci Ankney, Emily Brown, Jaci Thomas, Annika Blair and Ashlyn Dagestad.

Shaffer said, "Juana is so quiet ... yet she had the guts to go and ask permission and lead this project. She has really shown superior leadership qualities and abilities. I'm really grateful for the money they raised, but my heart is bursting with pride. The students did this without any adult supervision. They saw a need and they took care of it. I couldn't be prouder as their teacher and their FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) advisor. I just feel like they came through as my family."

"I just thought we had to find some way to help her," Aquino said. "Even if we couldn't get that much, we had to at least try. We got together in the hallway and kept coming up with plans and ideas. We're really happy that we helped her."

Shaffer said the machine is working well.

"I already have more energy and I'm feeling great," she said.