As we get ready to wrap up and head into the summer, I’ve been saving one story that I wanted to share with everyone, because of what it says about the high school experience and SHS. This story is like so many and so cool, but it represents so many other things going on in our school all the time. The story happened a few months ago, and it was really a collaboration of many people to make it happen. I received an email from a student asking for a few minutes to talk to me about a fund-raising project. I get this a lot, and I’ve always graciously honored talking with students and trying to find a way to help if I can. Some things work out and some don’t, but this one was a little bit different, as this student wanted to talk to me about her Youth Leadership Toledo project and how she could complete her project and make a difference.
Macy DeRaedt came to me looking to raise money as part of her service project to give to the Ronald McDonald House. Her project, of course, was well worth it, but it quickly became about how we might pull it off. Macy had an idea of setting up a fund-raiser and then going and purchasing items from a local store to donate to the Ronald McDonald House. I suggested that she approach Mr. Perlaky, our high school teachers’ “Jeans for Charity” organization leader. He, of course, loved Macy’s idea and so one day the teachers paid for the privilege of wearing jeans to work and donated all the money to Macy, so that she could complete her project. Macy then went to Sam’s Club and talked to their provider about her project and discussed how to maximize her situation. Lo and behold, Kimberly Brewer, the associate manager who Macy spoke with at Sam’s, had a personal experience with the Ronald McDonald House, and decided to double Macy’s efforts. Macy then was able to maximize everything she did for Ronald McDonald House and made a huge donation as the pictures show. Macy’s story made its way to the school board, where ultimately she and Mrs. Brewer from Sam’s received a board commendation, in recognition of their community spirit, effort and hard work.
I share Macy’s story as a capstone for SHS and the high school experience. Believe it or not, cool things like this happen all the time. Macy is special and what she did is special and deserves recognition. But our high school provides opportunities like this in various forms for so many. Kids can challenge, find and test themselves, all during the high school experience. Teachers and staff are there supporting them trying to encourage them to take the chance, to do something amazing and to be you. Parent booster clubs kick in and provide recognition, financial support and a community around our students. People from the community, like Mrs. Brewer, take notice of what our kids are doing and support them at every opportunity.
The high school experience is special and surprisingly short. As we send off another senior class, think of the number of stories that are centered around high school and helping young people build a better tomorrow. Thank you to the teachers, parents, staff and all who support SHS. This year we’ve given kids opportunities to excel, become more adult-like, passionate, personable, challenged, to be a kid, and of course, to be Springfield Strong. Our kids continue to be ready to take on the challenges of the real world, they are the future leaders, as they know how to work together, get along and do more for their community. Thank you everyone for another great school year, and thank you to the students of SHS for being so amazing in all that they do.
