Students in DeSoto Center's Respiratory Therapy and Cardiovascular Technology programs, inspired by Samantha's story, have begun making small bracelets with the name "SAMI" on them.

"The (SAMI) bracelets are absolutely precious!" said Lynda Buntyn of the Mississippi chapter of the March of Dimes. "Please know how much we appreciate all that you are doing."

The bracelets are being sold for $3 at DeSoto Center to help raise money for the March of Dimes, whose focus in 2004 is on premature babies.

The handmade bracelets, custom designed with jewelry-quality beads donated by the respiratory tech students, are also available with a name of choice and can easily be mailed to anyone wishing to purchase one.

The bracelets will be available at DeSoto Center until April 16. The Respiratory Therapy Tech Team has already raised more then $250 in bracelet sales.

The March of Dimes also has offered to market the bracelets throughout the state. The bracelets may even have a spiritual message for Albritton and her daughter. "I sent two bracelets to my daughter which she placed on Sami's urn," Albritton said. "She noticed one of the bracelets settled upside down and read, 'I WAS.'"

Johnny Coleman, a DeSoto Center student working on the project, said the bracelet project puts things in perspective.

"It makes me feel good to do something that can make a difference in the lives of children and families to which a death has occurred," Coleman said.

"It kinda put things in perspective for me of what the March of Dimes really does." The bracelet fundraiser is just the beginning of more special activities in the next month. The students plan to make "premmie" puppets -- small puppets representing prematurely-born babies.

Northwest students are also encouraged to join the NWCC team in the area March of Dimes Walk America at the University of Mississippi campus April 18.

"When March of Dimes officials call the Northwest team, I want there to be a roar as a huge Northwest group takes the field," Albritton said. The staging for the walk starts at1 p.m. and the walk begins at 2 p.m.

"We are thrilled to know that Northwest Mississippi Community College wants to become involved in WalkAmerica," Buntyn added.

Students will be asked to gather donations for the walk. Anyone who collects $100 will receive an official March of Dimes T-shirt.

Furthermore, the "SAMI" project has led to a goal of establishing an endowed scholarship in Samantha's memory for the DeSoto Center respiratory therapy technology program. Albritton said there is interest in forming an ongoing March of Dimes team for Northwest so the college and students can be play a more active role in the community.

"An astounding number of faculty, staff, and students have personally been affected by birth-related complications," said Albritton. "At the college we are in a perfect position to support mother and child health education that will affect so many in the community."

If you wish to just make a donation to Samantha Hayward Ross Endowed Scholarship fund or to The March of Dimes, contact Albritton at (662) 280-6148.

Josh Frain of Hernando is a sophomore student at Northwest.