Modern-day teenagers are busy people. Between keeping grades up,
rooms clean and participating in the myriad of extra-curricular
activities and sports required to put together an impressive
application come college admissions time, it’s a wonder they’re
able to sleep at night. And on top of all that, San Benito High
School students have proven that they can still put aside time to
help others.
Modern-day teenagers are busy people. Between keeping grades up, rooms clean and participating in the myriad of extra-curricular activities and sports required to put together an impressive application come college admissions time, it’s a wonder they’re able to sleep at night. And on top of all that, San Benito High School students have proven that they can still put aside time to help others.
The SBHS Associated Student Body raised over $5,000 to help a local family cover their daughter’s medical expenses, thanks in part to a friendly wager that had the ASB President baring it all Friday afternoon, true to his word that he would shave his head if students were able to meet the lofty fundraising goal.
“The students do this every year, it’s truly a great thing,” said Juan Robledo, ASB Adviser and teacher for 30 years. “They need to learn that we all need to share and give, and that believe it or not, it feels good.”
Students selected the family of 6-year-old Courtney Quintana from a pool of about a dozen other nominees submitted by students and staff, as beneficiaries for this year’s pledge drive, a tradition dating back to 1995. Quintana is afflicted with a rare blood disease called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, commonly known as TTP, which results in the formation of small blood clots within the circulation and can cause symptoms including chronic headache, difficulty speaking and transient paralysis. After years of undergoing various surgeries to treat her illness, the family found themselves with over half a million dollars in medical bills.
“Most of the other nominees were local organizations,” said Vanessa Hernandez, ASB Co-Commissioner of Community Affaires. “They were all good causes, but Courtney’s nomination said that she couldn’t eat real food after all her surgeries, that she had to eat with a straw… when you see a little girl hurting and in pain you just kind of have to help.”
Once Quintana had been selected as the beneficiary, students set about to the real work of raising funds. ASB worked “24/7,” Hernandez said, to promote awareness of the pledge drive with a publicity campaign, lunchtime fundraising competitions, and a challenge among individual academic departments to see who could raise the most money. The initial response was lackluster, however; before the school’s Benefit Ball held in Quintana’s honor on Jan. 13th, students had raised only $800.
“I didn’t think there was any way we’d be able to make our goal of $2,000,” said ASB President Brian Rocha. “So I said I’d shave my head in front of the entire school if we could reach $5,000.”
Student response escalated dramatically after Rocha’s announcement, and within a week ASB had exceeded the $5,000 goal. By Friday afternoon, $5,461.52 had been raised, with more money on the way. The sum is second only to SBHS’ record of $7,000 raised for a beneficiary, and over the years the high school has raised over $20,000 for worthy causes in the community through the annual pledge drive.
“Some people were pretty rude when we asked them for money, but I think there are more positive people than negative ones in our student body,” said Hernandez. “Sometimes people just need a little push.”
Rocha’s head was ceremoniously shorn during a public assembly at lunchtime, amid squeals of delight from onlooking students, most of them female.
“I’m glad that it’s over, but I’m happy I did it,” he said. “My mother isn’t pleased, but I saved her money on the haircut I was supposed to get this month. Actually, I saved her a lot of money, because I won’t be cutting this for awhile.”
Rocha says he hopes his hair will grow out before senior prom, but he’ll just have to deal with attending winter homecoming bald. In the meantime, he’s waiting to see if shaved heads become a new trend on campus.
“The students really surpassed my expectations, and Brian’s doing a neat thing,” said Robledo. “What we’re trying to do is promote an atmosphere of caring, and that’s a hard thing to do in today’s world.”
Those wishing to donate to SBHS’ relief effort for the Quintana family can call 637-5831 ext. 352.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
