Student leaders report $900 fundraiser for Riley Children’s Hospital, expand inclusion and recycling efforts

At the Scott County School District 1 board meeting, student leaders gave a brief presentation about service projects and schoolwide clubs. Sadie Bligh, vice president of the student group, said the group raised $900 for Riley Children’s Hospital and earned an additional $648 from a Halloween dance. "I decided I wanted to give back to the hospital," Bligh said.

Kyle, who identified himself as the student club president, described the Peer Buddies program that pairs students with classmates who have special needs; Kyle said the club meets regularly in the cafeteria and took peer buddies on a recent pizza shop field trip to learn more about their classmates' perspectives. "We use our special needs peers during lunch, and we eat with them every other Tuesday," Kyle said.

Student treasurer Elle Stig said the club will repaint and restock a Little Free Library and run a book drive to keep it supplied over the summer. She also said a Thanksgiving nonperishable food drive provided items to two families ahead of the holiday. The students and an adult adviser credited teamwork and volunteer involvement for the projects' success.

Miss Kelly, who the Chair introduced before the presentations, said the club now includes about 85 students across ten groups and praised the students for leading many of the activities themselves. "They lead these ideas. I'm just there to facilitate," she said.

The presentations took place during the recognition portion of the meeting; the board praised the students and thanked advisers and volunteers. The presentation offered a snapshot of student engagement in community service, inclusion, and environmental projects as the district approaches the end of the school year.