Last month, 13 of our 8th graders began selling shirts that they had designed. The purpose of the shirt sales was to raise money for and awareness of anti-bullying programs and efforts.
The students involved were:
- Paige Barrett
- Katherine Bosnack
- Julia Braito
- Juliana Cangemi
- Brooke Christman
- Caroline Corsello
- Alexandra Delgais
- Jesse Futerman
- Cecilia Jozef
- Grace McPhillips
- Hailey Ramhalete
- Michelle Rosen
- Jaime Ryan
For the past several years, these students have been part of the same religion class at St. Aidan’s. Over a year ago during a class discussion about kindness, the girls were discussing bullying and ways they could have an impact on anti-bullying. The girls decided that they would always stand up and not allow others to be bullied and wanted to do more. The idea of raising money for an anti-bullying organization was born. They decided that they wanted to have a shirt sale and create a t-shirt. Each week, during religion class, they spent time during class brainstorming ideas for a slogan and shirt. Eventually, they decided on the slogan “You Can Sit with Us” and the peace sign for the back of the shirt. Then the idea came that each girl would share a word that describes kindness and that word would be placed within the peace sign.
At the same time, the girls researched anti-bullying organizations that they could help. Eventually, the girls discussed the organizations and the girls decided they wanted all proceeds to go to PACER.org.
During class the girls continued each week to discuss bullying and kindness, always searching for new ways to improve their community. After receiving permission from the school, they began selling the shirts as a way of promoting awareness and raising funds. The girls’ hope is that the school community become more engaged and involved in such efforts to make our community a better place for all!
Pacer.org featured the girls on their Inspired Fundraising Page!
[Thank you to Kathryn Jozef and Jo Futerman for assistance with the project description and the photo.]
From right to left: Katherine Bosnack, Cecilia Jozef, Grace McPhillips, Juliana Cangemi, Jesse Futerman, Hailey Ramhalete, Julia Braito, Brooke Christman, Jaime Ryan, Caroline Corsello, Paige Barrett, Alexandra Delgais, Michelle Rosen
