NSHA high school fights for life

The students of NSHAHS are always seeking new and unique ways to fight for causes, but this past week, they really outdid themselves. Several students, each with a parent or relative who has battled with some form of cancer, came together and decided to stand up to a plague that has impacted so many lives. In order to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, representatives from each grade, under the supervision of Mrs. Debra Gold, created a unique competition between the classes. The winning grade was promised a pizza party sponsored by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. On Monday, December 3, the representatives set up bins in the NSHAHS lunchroom and collected pennies from each grade. On Tuesday, all silver coins were collected. Students brought in bills and checks the next day and dollar coins on Thursday. The campaign wrapped up on Friday, when all forms of money were accepted. In addition to the donations made by students, the grade representatives sold “Fight for Life” bracelets in a different color for each grade. Among the vast amount of American currency that was collected, several students even donated Israeli Shekels and Canadian coins. Check amounts as large as $1,800 were also offered. Several students came into school with bags of coins, eager to get rid of their unused change in a meaningful way.

Beyond their desire for a grade-wide pizza party, the students of NSHAHS united and contributed to an astounding atmosphere in the high school throughout the week. Sarah Silverstein, a representative for the junior class said, “As amazing as it is to have collected so much money for such an important cause, the really gratifying part was watching each grade come together.” On Monday morning, the grade representatives met to tally up their money. The eleventh grade won, contributing $3,067 to the school-wide total of $7,271.53. Stanley Silverstein, the grandfather of one of our grade organizers, has graciously agreed to match our contributions as well. That brings our grand total to over $14,000. Despite the competition, students in each grade integrated as one to help combat diseases that have affected their friends and families. The time, the money and dedication that NSHAHS has donated to this significant cause has brought us one step closer to kicking cancer’s butt!