Breanna Scheidt raises funds for the American Heart Association during a basketball game at Knoch High School on Friday.

JEFFERSON TWP — One Knoch High School sophomore paid tribute to her late father by raising more than $3,000 Friday during the school's varsity and junior varsity basketball games.

The money will go to the American Heart Association.

Breanna Scheidt, 15, said she remembered her father, Kent Wesley Scheidt, who died May 17, 2013, of a heart attack, as a loud and vibrant family man who supported her in all her endeavors.

He liked to call her by her nickname, “Sissy” and he watched and supported her as she competed in cheerleading. She still remembers the last cheer he saw her perform.

“Every day he would tell me I was the prettiest girl in the whole world,” Breanna said.

She said she also remembers the disease that took her father, imprinting itself on her memory and molding her into a newly focused individual.

Breanna solicited local sponsors for T-shirts she sold at her school, leading up to the game. Those who bought them wore the red shirts to the game, including the basketball teams, who wore them as their warm-up tops.

Breanna officiated foul-shooting contests during half time with prizes donated by local businesses, and she sold Hershey Kisses in the lobby with the slogan “Kiss Heart Disease Good-bye.”

Breanna said it felt good to have support from her school and classmates.

“They were very kind and very supportive,” she said. “It was a lot of red.”

Most importantly, Breanna led the junior varsity and freshmen cheer squads in a cheer during the JV halftime. They did the last cheer her father saw her perform.

Breanna said she hopes to continue the fundraiser annually, and after she graduates high school for her two younger brothers to continue the tradition.

Breanna said conducting the fundraiser has been difficult in execution and in emotion, but it has given her a greater perspective on losing someone so important in her life.

“Other kids can tell their dads they love him,” She said. “I can't do that anymore, so this is my way of showing how much he means to me.”