HHS club raises relief funds

The Red Cross Club at Hightstown High School, always one of the largest in the state, raised over $1,600 from students at the school for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

By: Michael Arges
   Students at Hightstown High School have collected more than $1,600 to assist victims of the World Trade Center disaster during four days of collecting during lunch periods.
   The disaster has hit home to students because it has touched the father of two students in the school.
   "The Red Cross Club for three days last week and for Monday this week collected money during lunch period and they collected over $1,600," noted Lauren Sieczkowski, a high school teacher who volunteers her time as Red Cross Club adviser.
   Members of the senior class assisted the Red Cross Club volunteers, Ms. Sieczkowski added.
   "Just during the lunch periods, students would have cans and boxes and they would go around the cafeteria and they would collect," Ms. Sieczkowski said. "They’re very concerned, and of course they feel the way the rest of us do."
   The incident has particularly hit home because a brother and sister in the school have apparently lost their father, she added.
   "Now they know somebody that was lost," Ms. Sieczkowski said.
   "I was really surprised that we were collecting so much money in just four days," Ms. Sieczkowski observed. The achievement is especially impressive because the Red Cross Club has yet to have its first formal meeting for this year.
   One student donated $150 to the cause and another student donated more than $300, she said.
   "We’re still getting donations, even though we didn’t collect today," Ms. Sieczkowski said Wednesday.
   Recently retired teacher Jeanne Heikes, who also helps advise the Red Cross Club, has been assisting with the counting of money along with Lora Inglisa, a senior class teacher-adviser.
   With about 230 members this year, about the usual number, the Hightstown High Red Cross Club is usually the biggest club of its kind in the state. This will probably be the case again this year,, Ms. Sieczkowski suggested.
   With the assistance of teacher Scott Kercher, students in the Choosing to Participate class at Hightstown High are collecting supplies for rescue workers and survivors. Choosing to Participate is a history class that focuses on the history and practice of community service.