Tuesday, December 22, 2015

"A Simple Phrase"


"A Simple Phrase..."

At Worthington Kilbourne High School, "taking care of each other" is more than just a simple phrase - it is a way of life!  Students, staff, and parents all work together to help those in need throughout the year, but never is this more evident than during the holiday season.  The generosity is kicked off during Thanksgiving when Worthington Presbyterian Church donates full Thanksgiving feasts for some of our families in need.  Activity Club provides ongoing backpacks of food for families that need a little extra assistance.  The WKHS boys basketball team supported the Activity Club community cares program by allowing fans to attend the season opener free of charge if they donate 3 non-perishable items.  Many staff members contribute to the Adopt-a-Child campaign that student council coordinates by donating money, meeting student contributions, providing baked goods, or other challenge goals.  This year our student council raised over $10,000.00.  One of the five hallmarks of our girls basketball program is servanthood, meaning one of the goals is to serve others. They do this in simple ways, such as a summer basketball camp at the Helping Hands Center in Clintonville.  They also have a foundation game with proceeds going towards scholarships for the HHC.  During the season, they host a Coaches v. Cancer game sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  In the game of lacrosse, the term "man-up" refers to one team having a player advantage due to an opponent's mistake or misfortune.  In the game of life, Kilbourne lacrosse players have chosen a different meaning for the term.  "Man-up" now means stepping up and taking advantage of the opportunity to "pay forward".  Kilbourne lacrosse players donate their time to various community service projects such as, Children's Hospital, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Read Across America Children's Book Drive, WYB, and the Dowd Center After School Program.  The WKHS girls volleyball program started their season with the Volley for the Cure.  7th through 12th grade athletes compete in the decorated gym while everyone wears the color pink.  The booster group runs a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale and a silent auction while all proceeds benefit the Komen Foundation.  This year, the event raised $6,665.20.  The WKHS gymnastics team has worked at the Christmas Cares program at St. Stephen's Community House for many years. The team volunteered on the Sunday before Christmas to help pack and organize donated good for the people in the Linden community.  Our GirlTalk Chapter made blankets for the Choice Women's Shelter.  
Knowing that holiday needs don't end when students enter high school, some high school students in need are also able to be "adopted" for gifts by staff and community members.  The WKHS staff took on the role of holiday elves and excitedly shopped for gifts to help our own wolves and were joined in that effort by the employees and customers of Park National Bank.  St. Andrew Christian Church and a compassionate group of Worthington Moms also generously adopted families with kids of various ages. 
And the list goes on and on...
Worthington is a special place to live and work and we are thankful for all of the ways that our students, staff and parents join forces to try to help make the holidays a little brighter for those in our community.


Happy Holidays from the Wolves of 
Worthington Kilbourne High School!