BALTO is an essential part of being at Edmond North High School. Students and staff participate in this week-long event to raise as much money as possible for a charity organization. Participating in the activities during BALTO week will help cultivate life-long memories.

BALTO week was started at Edmond North in 1995 and has been held annually since then; the goal is to help charitable organizations achieve their goal of helping people. BALTO also happens to be the name of a Husky, or the North mascot, that traveled with a serum that could save the lives of those infected with Diphtheria. Diphtheria is a bacterial infection that makes it hard to breathe, causing heart problems and even death. Balto, the dog, was leading the last leg of the relay to get the serum from Anchorage to Nome in the Alaskan winter. Balto and the others involved in the relay turned a month-long trip into a five-day trip; therefore, they prevented an epidemic that would kill thousands. Balto ‘brought light to others’ by delivering medicine to people infected with Diphtheria.

Brian Hunter, a teacher at ENHS and the sponsor of BALTO for the last nineteen years, had a few things to say about what BALTO means to him.

“Well, I really like that our week is the only Edmond Public Schools fundraiser that means something: ‘Bring a Light to Others.’ While that is meant to refer to students of ENHS bringing a light to others less fortunate than them through charitable giving, it goes beyond that. BALTO is all about making the world a little bit better place, simply by giving,” Hunter said.

BALTO has lots of events planned that will contribute to raising money for Make-A-Wish Oklahoma. These events include:

Hypnotist Night – On Friday, January 20th in the Edmond North Auditorium from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. It will be 10 dollars at the door to watch and $12 if you wish to participate. *Signed permission slip required for those under 18 who wish to be hypnotized.*

BALTO 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament – The loved 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament will be on January 24th at 5:30 pm in the North Gym.

Winter Spirit Clinic – The spirit clinic will be held in the ENHS Pom and Cheer rooms at 4:30 on January 31st.

Daddy Daughter Dance – The Daddy Daughter Dance will be in the Freshman Academy on February 2nd at 6 pm.

BALTO 5K – The BALTO 5K is at Mitch Park on Saturday, February 4th.

Silent Auction – BALTO’s silent auction will be at Crossings Church Edmond at 6 pm on February 6th.

Ping Pong and Pickle Ball Tournament – You can join the Ping Pong and Pickle Ball Tournament on February 9th in the North Gym at 5:30

North Stock – Edmond North’s Battle of the Bands will be held in the Freshman Academy on February 11th at 7 pm.

BALTO WEEK: February 13th – February 17th

Opening Assembly – The BALTO opening assembly will be on the AM Assembly schedule on February 13th.
Video Game Night – ENHS Black Box at 6:00

Blacklight Assembly – Blacklight assembly will be on the AM Assembly schedule on February 14th.
Blacklight Dance – North Gym at 9:00

Boy Bands Assembly – The Boy Bands assembly will be on the AM Assembly schedule on February 15th.

Versus Assembly – The Versus assembly will be on the AM Assembly schedule on February 16th.
Dodgeball Tournament – North Gym at 6:00

Closing Assembly – The BALTO closing assembly will be on the PM Assembly Schedule on February 17th.

For more information on upcoming BALTO events and dress-up days, check out the ENHS BALTO Instagram @enhsbaltoweek or the BALTO Website.