Medical school graduation gift idea

Activities exchange

Memorial Scholarship Fund

After tragically losing an eighth grade student who was killed as an innocent bystander in a robbery shootout at the local mall, members of the Kingsway Regional School District in Swedesboro, N.J., wanted to create a scholarship in her memory.

"As someone who has been involved in a variety of fundraisers, I have learned the best way is to simply ask for donations and minimize your overhead," said Milt Fredericks, NHS and Interact Club adviser. He called Bob Shryock, a local columnist and television reporter, for help and together they came up with the idea of getting a foursome to play 100 holes of golf in a day and getting pledges for the holes played.

Utilizing the talents, energy, and enthusiasm of the Interact members, the pledge sheets rolled in and in two weeks time more than $13,000 had been raised. On a drizzly Monday, Fredericks, Shryock, and two others teed off at the Gloucester County course in Pitman, N.J., to play the 100 holes.

"It is an effort I wish I never would have had to be involved with, but the experience of working, not only with the Lavin family, but also with so many young leaders who truly care about others will stay with me forever," said Fredericks.

Because of subsequent efforts in the past four years, the Maureen Lavin Memorial Scholarship fund has grown to more than $20,000 with three awards presented yearly at graduation.

Recycling Renaissance Art Show

In an attempt to get teachers, students, other organizations, student council members, and the community involved in a unique and worthwhile project, the student council at Lewisville (Tex.) HS sponsored a Recycling Renaissance Art Show.

Art teachers in the district were asked to create a unit in which each of their students, or a group of students from classes, could put together sculptures made with recyclable materials. A committee member contacted Texas Waste Management, the school's Environmental Club, and the National Honor Society chapter to help collect recyclable material. Texas Waste Management was also asked to pick up the recyclable projects after the show.

More than 700 students created sculptures which were displayed for the public on the day of the show from 5:30-7:00 p.m. The entry fee was one or more recyclable products. First, second, and third place prizes-obtained by soliciting donations from the community-were awarded in high school, middle level, and elementary categories.

Spirit of Southside

The National Honor Society at Southside HS in Muncie, Ind., offers a unique program to direct volunteers to appropriate organizations for service. Called Spirit of Southside (SOS) the program features a brochure in which six participating agencies are listed with contact information, a description of the agency, and a list of types of volunteer duties. Students are encouraged to volunteer 25 hours during the school year at one of the agencies.

Dressed for Success

The National Honor Society at Northern Highlands Regional HS in Allendale,I N.J., organized a clothing drive for adults on welfare who are seeking jobs but lack appropriate attire to interview for or hold a job in a business office. They collected business suits, blouses, skirts, shirts, jackets, ties, and shoes that were donated to local country services for distribution.

College Life Preparation

Each January, the NHS chapter at Wright Prep School in Mobile, Ala., invites four or five recent graduates to return to speak at an assembly to students in grades 9-12 on a variety of topics concerning college life. The graduates offer information on topics as diverse as time spent studying, social life, tips on roommate selection, and expenses. "Both returning grads and the present student body really look forward to this annual event," said Anne Smith, NHS adviser.

Senior Citizens Dinner Theater

In a service project for senior citizens of their community, members of the NHS chapter at Rush-Henrietta Senior HS in Henrietta, N.Y., cooked and served dinner for residents of two area nursing homes. The dinner was served on a Saturday night in the school cafeteria and was followed by entertainment performed by students.

Penny Count

To raise money to help a family burdened with medical expenses, the NHS chapter at Seneca East HS in Attica, Ohio, conducted a penny count with the cooperation of the school's teachers. On the first day of the campaign, students brought in pennies to their first period class. The teacher had to count and wrap all the pennies turned in before starting class. Many teachers had more than enough pennies to take up the whole period. On the second day, students brought pennies to their second period class, and so forth throughout the campaign. The more students wanted to get out of a particular class, the more pennies they brought in.

Organizers kept a daily count on a bulletin board and released the information in the announcements so the student body could follow the progress of the project. The school more than surpassed its original goal of raising $500 by collecting $1,700 from its student body of just under 400.

"You must really have the cooperation of the teachers, as this does take them out of class time for one period a day for the number of days that you operate. The excitement each day could be felt and heard throughout the halls," said Donna Nagel, NHS adviser.

SGA Rewards Program

The Student Government Association (SGA) at Brunswick (Md.) HS sponsors a reward program for students who demonstrate good attendance, character, and work habits. For each term, any student who has a 3.25 grade point average, has fewer than two absences, has no discipline referrals, and participates in one activity is eligible to participate in the program. To participate, students who meet the requirements fill out an application and are invited to an after school pizza party where they each receive a prize. The prizes-either donated or purchased by the SGA-- include such things as SAT fees, Homecoming tickets, and gift certificates.