Spartan Magazine
School Community Raises Much-Needed Funds for Haiti
p h otos FROM top TO BOTTOM Sixth graders Jacob Hale, Benjamin Pryzbocki, Lee Trahan, David Lucid, Mac Schelbert, Marco Saucedo and Tyler Wong; Brittany Adams and Michaela Dunkerley-Offor; Head of Middle School Magnus Maccow; Jacob Price, Marty Grossenbacher and Ben Ellison; FAR RIGHT Ursula Cedillo-Johnson and Chelsey Lee
Last October St. Stephen’s celebrated its fifth annual Haiti on The Hill and raised close to $10,000 to benefit our sister school St. Etienne’s in Salmadere, Haiti. St. Stephen’s founded St. Etienne’s nine years ago in co-operation with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. Haiti on The Hill encourages the value of philanthropy throughout the school community with food, music and fun. Students hosted booths for selling items such as t-shirts, Haitian art and jewelry, food items and baked goods, and activities such as face painting and karaoke. Students and staff were encouraged to make cash donations as well. “If each St. Stephen’s student donated $18.03, the St. Etienne’s operating budget would be fully funded for the year,” said Yvonne Adams, director of diversity and a faculty event sponsor. “You don’t have to give a large amount to make a difference.” All money raised covers the tuition of 275 K-8 students and teacher salaries. Students participate in a number of activities to benefit St. Etienne’s throughout the school year. Vicki Woodruff, an English teacher and faculty sponsor of Haiti on the Hill, leads sixth grade students in constructing school supply kits that are sent to St. Etienne’s students. “St. Etienne’s is not just a place, but individuals and personal stories,” said Woodruff. “This activity introduces our sixth graders to the idea and importance of service, upon which they will hopefully build throughout the remainder of their years at St. Stephen’s.”
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