STUDENT-LED DRIVES ASSIST THOSE IN NEED

Compassion is a word heard often at Rockhurst High School. More importantly, it’s also seen frequently in action. Students answer the call to serve those facing unfortunate circumstances.

The annual Harvest Food Drive, led by the Student Government Association (SGA) surpassed its goal of 16,000 lbs of food by helping the school bring in 17,156 lbs. of canned goods, along with six 55-gallon bags filled with winter clothing. Items were then delivered to nine community organizations:

St. Therese Little Flower Catholic Church, Don Bosco Center, Avenue of Life, Bishop Sullivan Center, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, Christ the King Catholic Church, Redemptorist Center, St. Elizabeth Parish, and St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.

Students led a donation effort of more than 2,000 children’s books for the Lead To Read Program, in partnership with the 15 and The Mahomies Foundation and Lead To Read KC.

Rockhurst’s Pre-Med Club, Future Docklets of America, led a fundraiser in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October. The group was able to present a check for $1,500 to Missy’s Boutique at the University of Kansas Cancer Center, a one-stop shopping option for cancer patients.

Two student clubs, the Human Dignity Club and the Culinary Club, collaborated to make tasty Valentine’s Day treats and delivered them to the Cherith Brook Catholic Worker House.

SGA also spearheaded Mission Week, a longstanding tradition at Rockhurst. During this week in February, students raised more than $26,000 that went to a charity of each grade’s choosing. Freshmen selected a Jesuit refugee service working for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine, sophomores selected the KC Veterans Community Project, juniors selected St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and seniors selected the Carmelite Convent in San Andrés Itzapa, Guatemala.

Gio DePalma ’24 and Mrs. Antionette Ishmael, Rockhurst teacher, created a St. Joseph’s Table in March. Food dishes were generously offered by Rockhurst faculty, staff, alumni, and families, as well as local restaurants. Following a special prayer service around the table, the food was donated to the Wyandotte Pregnancy Center.

To close out the year, SGA and Future Docklets of America members organized a “Be The Match” Bone Marrow

Registration Drive. This was done in honor of Mickey Jones ’26, who is undergoing treatment for leukemia. Upperclassmen 18 years and older, as well as faculty and staff, were encouraged to consider registering to potentially be matched to a patient. More than 60 members of the Rockhurst community made this first step.