A team of seven from Vashon High School recently climbed 57 flights of stairs at Seattle’s Columbia Tower for the 24th Annual Washington Stair Climb, an event benefitting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The cause hit close to home, as the team’s organizer, high schooler Paulina Hernandez, suffers from cystic fibrosis.

The team for the Dec. 6 climb included Paulina, students Brooke Whitney, Gabby Frazier and Logan Hawkins, and VHS counselor Susan Haworth, assistant principal Stephanie Spencer and kitchen manager Lisa Cyra. In addition to the donation required to participate in the climb, they raised more than $400 for the foundation.

Paulina’s mother, Karrie Hernandez, said Paulina was tired by the end of the climb but thrilled at the support she received. She hopes to continue participating in the even in the future.

“It meant a lot to Paulina and my family,” she said.