Mundelein High students raise needed cash for Haiti relief

Like most of us, students at Mundelein High School watched the horrific coverage of the Haitian earthquake wondering what could be done to help relieve suffering.

It didn't take long for the kids to step up.

Three students led a fundraising effort that netted $5,545 for Haiti relief. Krina Adhikari, Arielle Sison and Michael Captain rallied their fellow Mustangs and administrators to donate the much-needed cash.

Social studies teacher Neil McCarthy, along with Principal James Ongtengco and teacher Joe Maxwell, helped oversee the effort. McCarthy was impressed by the zeal of the trio and their classmates.

"It wasn't the teachers or administrators getting this going, it was the students," McCarthy said. "They came to us and demanded we respond. It was great. It was organic and spontaneous on their part. They came to us with a laundry list of ideas."

Captain, a senior, said a hastily arranged planning meeting drew a big crowd. He was stunned at the number of kids who attended with ideas. They named the group the Haiti Student Action Committee.

"We really didn't advertise that much, just some fliers and word-of-mouth, and 90 students showed up," Captain said. "I was shocked by the number on such short notice."

Some of the ideas included taking collections during homeroom and lunch periods for two straight weeks. That netted $2,000. An all-school assembly was held to raise awareness and the "Vive Le Haiti!" concert was held on Jan. 30. Students and staff donated nearly $3,000 that night. Sales of T-shirts and CD's drew additional dollars.

The money will be divided between the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF, McCarthy said.

Captain speculated on why his fellow students were so eager to help the quake-ravaged nation.

"They are so close to us, Haiti has a part in American history," Captain said. "It's not like the disasters on the other side of the globe, it's close to home. I think that's the difference."