Last Saturday (January 21) the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) held its first-ever Make-A-Wish Day during the men’s and women’s basketball games against Truman State. The Make-A-Wish Day was conceived as an opportunity for Make-A-Wish families to enjoy a day out while our student-athletes got an opportunity to know them better. Four families came to the event, which included over 20 people. In addition to enjoying the game, families were taken on a tour of the facilities by SAAC members. The student-athletes showed the Wish kids and their families locker room facilities, work out areas, and more. After the tour, Wish kids and their families also had the opportunity to join the UMSL Cheerleaders on the court during the national anthem. Bailey, one of the visiting Wish kids even participated in a half time free throw contest, successfully winning Domino’s gift certificates for all the families!

It was extremely rewarding to meet families like the ones we have been raising money for. Meeting them in person and listening to their stories motivates us to work hard in raising funds for the foundation.The kids and their families were very grateful for the time we spent together and the experiences they had. One young aspiring swimmer especially loved the visit to the pool. Events like these remind us what all of our hard work and efforts are really going towards.

Source: http://www.umsltritons.com/news/2017/1/27/general-saac-hosts-make-a-wish-families.aspx?path=general

Main Street School students participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program during Heart Healthy Week from Jan. 17-20. The program’s activities empowered them to improve their health and help people with heart issues as they jumped rope.
“Heart Healthy Week is all about teaching our students how to take care of their hearts through the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart Program,” physical education teacher Laura Shaw said.

During their classes, the students learned about the different parts of the heart and the importance of exercise and healthy eating. As part of the activities, they also discovered the value of community service by raising money for the organization.
“The MSS community jumped its heart out and raised more than $2,913 for the American Heart Association,” Principal Joyce Chapnick said. “Thanks to everyone for their generosity.”

Chapnick added that Heart Healthy Week connected to the school’s character building and global citizenship initiatives. Throughout the week, the students were asked to reflect upon various character building questions and consider how they relate to living a healthy lifestyle and taking action to help others.

To demonstrate school unity and community, students and staff members wore red on Jan. 17.

Photo Captions: Main Street School students participated in the American Heart Association’s Jump Rope for Heart program from Jan. 17-20.

Photos courtesy of the Irvington Union Free School District

The Sewanhaka Central High School District’s gymnastics team collected toys for the Hance Family Foundation Toy Drive to be distribute to children in need.
The generosity of the girls and their ability to put the needs of others before themselves is admirable and certainly reflects the Sewanhaka district holiday spirit.

Photo Caption: The Sewanhaka Central High School District’s gymnastics team collected toys for the Hance Family Foundation Toy Drive.

Photo courtesy of the Sewanhaka Central High School District

The members of Irvington High School’s girls varsity basketball team have once again demonstrated their strength on and off the court when they raised money for two important causes.
During a league game against Hastings High School on Jan. 13, the girls raised more than $1,800 in memory of Shamoya McKenzie, a talented Mount Vernon basketball player who tragically died on New Year’s Eve. McKenzie, who was a passenger in the backseat of her family car, was returning home from practice when she was struck by a stray bullet.
“The Irvington girls donated the money directly to the young girl’s family to help cover the costs of her funeral,” coach Gina Maher said. “They were heartbroken when they learned about McKenzie’s death and, like many other teams, wanted to show their support. The outpouring from the students and our entire school community, as well as from those who attended the game against Hastings, was overwhelming.”
The following day, Irvington High School hosted the annual Autism Classic Tournament, a four-game showcase of some of the top girls basketball teams in the Hudson Valley, and raised more than $2,000 for programs that directly benefit people with autism.
“I am so proud of my team and classmates for how hard we worked to raise the amount of money that we did,” said Lindsay Halpin, the team’s senior captain. “It really shows how much our community cares about others and how we would do anything to help families in need.”
The Bulldogs now hold a 12-1 record and are aiming for their third straight Section 1 Class B championship title and their seventh in eight years.
“The Autism Classic is one of the highlights of the year in Section 1 girls basketball,” Maher said. “Every year, we fill our gym with fans from all over, and their generosity for such a special cause is moving.”

Photo Caption: Irvington High School’s girls varsity basketball team raised money for two important causes.

Photo courtesy of the Irvington Union Free School District

The Recycling Club at Robert Moses Middle School in the North Babylon School District participated in Reuse-A-Shoe, a community service project sponsored by Nike.
The club collected pairs of outworn athletic sneakers throughout the school to donate to the cause. As part of the program, Nike grinds these shoes down and uses the material for surfaces such as tracks, playgrounds and tennis courts.
Representatives of the Town of Babylon visited the school to honor the students for their efforts.

Photo Caption: The Robert Moses Middle School Recycling Club collected shoes for the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe project.

Photo courtesy North Babylon School District