This Year's Schools for Schools Winners Are...
Since the 2007 IC Tour, the student body of Bishop Lynch has rallied around Invisible Children. The first time IC came to their school, the students purchased $4,700 in merch and kept the push going. Even though Bishop Lynch was way ahead in their Schools for Schools cluster from day one, they continued to put on fundraisers until the very end of the competition and raised enough to break $20,000.00 for Pabbo Secondary School.
Defying the odds, Berkeley came out as the college on top of the Schools for Schools competition, finishing with a little over $22,000. The Berkeley Schools for Schools club managed to capture the heart of their campus, gathering outside donations from almost 10 countries, winning the creative award for the month of January with their red dove campaign, putting on charity poker tournaments, trick or treating for change, and pouring themselves into screenings around the area.
Calvary Christian pulled ahead in the last few minutes of the competition to win their cluster for the second time – this time by just $27! Headed up by club leaders Miriam Nyugen and Chloe Lyon, these girls helped raised almost twice as much as they did last year. The last week of the compettion, Calvary Christian students held over nine different fundraisers and ended up raising more than $20,000.
Downingtown West rallied their entire school, literally hundreds of kids, to use their own talents and interests to raise bank for Sir Samuel Baker. It's their second year winning their cluster, but first year raising the most of any school in the entire competition! To bring in over 30 grand Downingtown students held a haunted house, went caroling, had a "Kiss the Pig" campaign, did letter writing, and went local business hounding.
Over 50 students from Desert Mountain helped make the final push to win their cluster's fundraising efforts by just $54. Students from Scottsdale had a ton of different fundraisers like capture the turkey for Thanksgiving, change for change drives, and a massive walk-a-thon that's set to become an annual school event. And while Desert Mountain students have already won their cluster, their awareness and fundraising efforts aren't stopping. Till round three hits, all the students have committed to keeping up the hard work for Gulu High.
For the students at Westminster, fundraising for Gulu S.S. was sincerely a family effort. Working together they got a host of donations through family members, friends and creative fundraising. Raking in over 20 grand, Westminster students are extending their involvement post-competition deadlines by heading to DC and lobbying to our nation's leaders.
Fenwick is the epitome of resilience. After raising over $10,000 last year, they just fell short of winning their cluster but they didn't give up. The entire school remained committed to their partner school and had steady fundraising throughout Schools for Schools' second semester through t-shirt, bracelet and pencil sales. And while they brought it in big for northern Uganda, Fenwick has many causes they're serious about. They're a blessed school eager to bless others and have made a huge impact for the students of Layibi.
The students at Tesoro High School rose to the Schools-for-Schools challenge in a way that even surprised them. Full of intensity and creativity, Tesoro raised the second highest amount of funds in the nation. Going at it with t-shirt and bake sales and grant applications, Tesoro pulled it through with a final "Venture to Vegas" poker night that raised over $10,000.
Collegedale is a second-time winner that really pulled it off with a final push. Thanks to a strong and united community, Collegedale came together and even got support from the university next door: Southern Adventist University. Going off last year's success, Collegedale hosted another epic walk-a-thon raising over $7,000. In the final three days of the competition, Collegedale students raised over $3,000 by going door-to-door, collecting change, and telling everyone they knew about Invisible Children. For the second year in a row, their hard work up until the last minute paid off.
In its second year of Schools for Schools, Darien pulled off top winner of their cluster thanks to energy of Club Advisor Stephanie Nelson and senior Alex Duncan. They've consistently worked to find creative ways to teach their community about the war in northern Uganda and their goals for Atanga Secondary School. Within the past year, Darien High School has raised over $20,000 for Atanga S.S. and continues to bring in the dough!
This Year's Gold Heroes Are...
Jake Potticary
Loveland High SchoolWe can't say enough good things about this guy. Jake – nicknamed "townie" throughout Cincinnati because he's always doing IC screenings – is an incredible leader. He's gotten everyone at his school hooked on doing good because he believes it's truly essential to serve and love one another. While Jake has been incredibly successful at leading his Schools for Schools club and has done a ridiculous amount of fundraising, the heart and change we've witnessed in his life make him the kind of guy we're proud of have leading this program.
Chloe Lyon
Calvary Christian AcademyOnly 16 years old, Chloe has compassion and selflessness far beyond her age. Last year she was one of S4S's cluster winners and traveled to Uganda to experience firsthand what she was working for. Despite coming up against many obstacles, Chloe has inspired the student body at her school to commit to and continually invest in their partner school. Even though the competition is over, Chloe has already started planning for further fundraising and awareness campaigns and continues to be a source of encouragement and inspiration for her community.
Sarah Chaplin
Auburn UniversityAfter hearing from the Deep South roadies last year, Sarah started the first ever Schools for Schools chapter at Auburn University. From that point on Invisible Children and S4S became one of the biggest parts of her life. An incredibly talented photographer and artist, Sarah has used these talents, as well as her amazing leadership skills, to spread S4S across her campus. She might seem shy and soft-spoken, but she has a fierce love for people and is committed to seeing change for the people of northern Uganda.
Ellie Morse
Dickson County High SchoolEllie Morse is a senior in high school who dedicated her final year to educating the student body and getting them excited about getting involved. Ellie is the perfect example of the advocate willing to fight apathy. Despite coming across many obstacles, she persevered and continued to motivate a small group of students at her school to reach their goal of $10,000. Her dedication and determination have made her a figure of influence in her student body and her community.
Taylor Thompson
Tesoro High SchoolTaylor Thompson is one of the most selfless people you will ever meet. The pres and leader of Tesoro's Schools for Schools club, Taylor demonstrated the type of generosity and heart he expected of his fellow club members. For his birthday this year, his father gave him $1,000, which Taylor turned around and donated to his Schools for Schools club. Because of his selflessness, his dad's company was able to match the $1000 gift and turn the gift to Sacred Heart into $2,000!
Johannes Oberman
Mandeville High SchoolWith the help of club co-leader and good friend Rebecca, Johannes and Mandeville High's Schools for Schools club have rallied their 1,000 plus student body for Invisible Children. His creativity and compassion are evident to everyone he meets, and his humility has allowed him to emerge as a true Schools for Schools hero.
Claire Cushing
Lewis & Clark CollegeClaire Cushing is the epitome of resilience and dedication. Last year she served as president of Juan Diego Catholic High School's S4S club where she helped raise over $35,000 despite the nay saying of many skeptics. Her dedication earned her a spot on a summer trip to Uganda where she got to meet and spend time with the children she was working so hard to help. Her experiences in Uganda gave her the inspiration and drive to keep working as she moved on to college at Lewis & Clark where she continues to impact and educate those around her.
Brittany Deyan
University of California BerkeleyIt's nearly impossible to think of Schools for Schools without immediately thinking of Brittany Deyan. One of the most genuine, intelligent, giving young women, Brittany has helped raise over $60,000 for Schools for Schools – and that's in less than a year! Last year Brittany served as the president of leading fundraiser Newport Harbor High, but this year she took her passion up north and brought Schools for Schools to UC Berkeley where the newfound club was able to raise over $20,000. Her commitment and compassion have been a huge source of inspiration to those around her, and she continues to stay dedicated to a people that are close to her heart.
Miranda Okuniewski
Downingtown West High SchoolMiranda and her passion for northern Uganda have truly changed the culture of her school and community. Rallying over 200 students to get involved in the school's club "Generation 4 Africa," she continues to be impressed and inspired by her fellow students engagement with issues and desire to make a difference. With their determination and group-minded efforts, Miranda and her Downingtown West peers have become the top overall fundraisers for Schools for Schools Round Two.
Anna Schuck
The Charter School of WilmingtonAnna Schuck is the type of girl who makes you believe you can accomplish anything. Over the past year, Anna and fellow S4S students have hosted nine Rock Uganda concerts featuring over 40 different bands. The musical fundraisers have brought in hundreds of kids and raised thousands of dollars. And while Anna and her friends have brought in hoards of cash, her level of maturity and dedication has been unbelievable considering their entire club is student-run with little adult involvement. We can't help but be blown away by her ingenuity and resourcefulness when confronted with what could be some very difficult obstacles.
