Special Deliveries: NHS Students Deliver Record Number Of Gifts And Goods To Lake County Families On Give-A-Thon Delivery Day
If you like candy, you may have run into junior Devin Singh over the last month. He was really hustling around school to sell as much candy as he could.
“I did that because I think a large part of it was that I wanted to give back to my community,” Singh said. “It’s impactful and a lot of us enjoy spending time with each other knowing that we’re doing good for the people around us.”
Singh, a member of National Honor Society, sold candy to help raise money for the family that he and his classmates were assigned to for Stevenson’s Give-A-Thon holiday fundraiser, where gifts and food and household items were purchased by students and faculty and staff, collected in boxes around campus and then distributed to three locations around Lake County.
Wednesday was Give-A-Thon’s big finale: Delivery Day…and Singh and other members of National Honor Society made in-person deliveries of all the goodies to Catholic Charities Warehouse in Libertyville, St. Mary of Vernon in Indian Creek and Vernon Township Food Pantry in Buffalo Grove.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY OF PHOTOS FROM DELIVERY DAY!
“It’s a really nice thing to do. I’m excited to be here, knowing that I’m helping families in need to have a good Christmas,” senior Lila Brandwein said while unloading gifts at the warehouse in Libertyville. “We’ve got a lot of things they can really use and that will benefit them.”
There were all kinds of donations: gifts such as toys and bikes, food such as macaroni and cheese and soup, and baby items such as diapers and wipes.
“The aura at Stevenson changes as you go into the holiday season. There’s this giving spirit that comes around,” senior Nicole Lee said at the food pantry in Buffalo Grove. “It’s wonderful to see students think of such creative ideas when they’re trying to raise money for people in need in Lake County.”
While some students like Singh sold candy and other items to raise their money so that they could shop for their families’ wishlist items, others started GoFundMe pages so that they could raise enough money to get big-ticket items such as bikes. A total of 67 brand-new bikes were donated by Stevenson’s Give-A-Thon.
“It’s the reward you feel internally. It’s so nice seeing all the gifts distributed and to know that you were able to be a part of that to provide things to people who aren’t as fortunate as you,” junior Aafreen Nazimuddin said while eating lunch at St. Mary Of Vernon. “I feel like the Stevenson community is really big on giving back and helping others. Christmas is one of those holidays when everyone loves to give, so this is something that everyone looks forward to.”
Between 600 to 700 student leaders at Stevenson helped Give-A-Thon set record numbers this year. Typically, Give-A-Thon sets out to help between 300 and 350 families.
“We have more than 400 families that we are able to serve. And it’s close to 1,300 individual kids who will be getting gifts this year,” said teacher Courtney Zabrin, sponsor of National Honor Society, which runs Give-A-Thon. “My favorite part about it is that obviously we’re giving back to our community but also, it creates a sense of community within the school. It brings students together and adults into the process as well. Students really work hard to come together to give back to our community.”
Seniors Daniel Li and Hannah Yu are members of the Executive Board of National Honor Society and as leaders, were enjoying seeing Give-A-Thon push over the finish line yesterday, knowing that as a result of months of planning so many people would be helped.
“Finally being able to see everything come together is an amazing feeling,” Li said. “Everyone is involved and it’s something everyone can bond over and I find that so awesome.”
“It’s great to see all of the unity in our student body, especially on days like Collection Day and Delivery Day,” Yu added. “We get to see all of our efforts come to fruition. It’s good to see that what we do as a school community actually genuinely benefits people and that it really changes their lives.”
Original Student Music To Be Showcased TOMORROW!
A vast array of musical talent will be on display TOMORROW night in Stevenson’s popular Music Production Showcase.
The event, slated for a 7 p.m. start in the West Auditorium, Room 2104, the Patriot Lobby and the MIDI Lab (Room 2201), will feature the work that students have been doing in Music Production classes this semester. Students will be showcasing their original music through performances, artist talks, and live listening sessions.
The Music Production Showcase is free, and open to the public.
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Seniors: Time To Order Your Grad Gear; Deadline Is Dec. 18!
Graduation may still seem far away, but planning for it is already getting underway!
Seniors can place orders now for graduation packages, graduation announcements, senior gear, class rings, caps and gowns and more with Jostens.
The Jostens group order deadline for Stevenson is Sunday, Dec. 18. After Dec. 18, individual order pricing and handling charges will apply and orders will be subject to availability.
For questions, please call or text Jostens at (847) 818-8419 or e-mail:
walteroffice@jostens.com
Tell Your Younger Siblings: Master Dance Class For Eighth Graders Is Saturday And Space Is Limited!
Do you have a younger sibling who is interested in Dance and will be a freshman at Stevenson next year?
If so, make sure to pass along that the Stevenson Dance Faculty will be hosting a fun, free Master Dance Class from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday in Room 2112 at Stevenson.
Eighth graders who are interested in taking Dance 1 next year and would like a preview of what the class will be like will love this class…but spaces are limited so sign up now. There is no dance experience required: just arrive ready to dance in leggings/yoga pants/sweatpants and a tank top or T-shirt. No shoes needed, and bring a water bottle!
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Athletic Results
Girls Gymnastics: The Patriots (0-2) hosted their season opener against Warren and Lake Zurich, falling to both teams, 128.85 to 126.20 against Warren and 127.60 to 126.20 against Lake Zurich. Notable finishes came from Ashley Schabes who came in second on the uneven bars with a score of 9.15, second on the vault with an 8.55, tied for first on the beam with a score of 9.00, first on the floor with a score of 8.45, and a first place in the all-around with a score of 35.15. Emma Fang took first on the uneven bars with a score of 9.30 and Samantha Matzek tied for second on the floor with a score of 8.25. Next up for Stevenson is the Rolling Meadows Invite on Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.
Girls Bowling: Stevenson (0-2) had its second match against conference opponent Libertyville and lost 2277 to 1817. Improving on their previous match, Amanda Xumsai and Anna Reyes both bowled high games of 164 for the Patriots. Next up for Stevenson is the Fremd Invite on Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. at Arlington Lanes.
Sports Notes
Boys Hockey: The Patriots will be partnering with Heartland Animal Shelter to inform families about animal adoption at their game on FRIDAY against Glenbrook North at Twin Rinks in Buffalo Grove. The JV game begins at 6:30 p.m. and the Varsity game begins at 8 p.m. Dogs and kittens will be in the rink lobby and Heartland will provide information about their shelter and adoptable animals. The Patriots are asking fans and families to please consider bringing some items from Heartland’s wishlist (pictured left) to the game.
United States Marine Corp: Stevenson will welcome local Marines on FRIDAY at 8 a.m. to engage in conversation and activity about leadership and teamwork. The event will take place on the Turf in the Patriot Wellness Center.
Sports Boosters Annual Flash Sale: The Sports Boosters will be hosting their annual Winter Flash Sale on FRIDAY during Periods 4, 5 and 6 in Room 5120 (PWC). Stop by and stock up on gifts for the holidays. Cash, credit and checks are accepted. Park in Lot D and enter through Door 19. Please check in with security personnel.
Boys Lacrosse Information Meeting: Athletes who are interested in trying out for boys lacrosse this spring are invited to attend an informational meeting at 3:30 p.m. on MONDAY in Room 5132. The meeting will take approximately 30 minutes. E-mail Coach Hake at thake@d125.org with questions. NOTE: If you are in a Winter Sport, you should NOT attend.
Mark Your Calendars: Just a reminder to all Student-Athletes ~ If you have not attended the mandatory Student-Athlete meeting, there is one coming up on THURSDAY, Dec. 8 from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. in the West Auditorium. Please be on time as the auditorium fills up quickly and the meeting will start promptly.
Girls Basketball: The 2022 State Champion Girls Basketball team will be playing Huntley on SATURDAY, Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. at the NOW Arena. Tickets are $10 for general admission.
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Mark your calendars for these events and see the Stevenson Calendar for details on these and future programs.
Dec. 2: Music Production Showcase
Dec. 6-7:Winter ArtFest
Dec. 6:Winter ArtFest Reception
Dec. 7:Band Fundraiser ~ Noodles & Company
Dec. 8: Late Arrival
Dec. 8: CCC Presents: College And Career Center Night For Junior Families
Stevenson Daily Digest 