Anastasha Echavarri
Staff Writer

To end the last few months of their high school years, Michelle Powers and Kate Sulka worked together on a Senior Project that helped raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. Their project was called “Working on a Wish”, and the event itself occurred on May 20th.

Ways to raise money for the event involved a raffle, gift cards, and even the opportunity to throw cream pies at several administrators of the school involving Principal Jim Antonelli, Assistant Principal Adam Goldberg, Deans Michael Parent and Robert Ware, and guidance counselor Mark Lucey.

The event was supposed to be held outside, however, due to difficulties with the weather, the event was moved inside to the cafeteria.

“It’s unfortunate that the event was inside because I think if the event was outside it would have had a better turn out,” said English teacher Janet Keirstead.

Despite the unexpected rain, the event overall was a success—and although the main purpose of the event was to raise money for the foundation, everyone really just came to have a good time and to be together.

Along with throwing pies at administrators, there were several other attractions as well. Participators such as theater arts teacher Michael Towers played musical chairs while Ware and Parent played ping pong at the other end of the cafeteria. Some students played toss-across with friends in the corner, and some even played parachute in the center of the room with Keirstead and history teacher Christopher Connole.

Mr Lucey poses for the camera

“The administrators that were having the pies thrown at them were a huge help because they brought in most of the crowd,” said Powers.

Through games, raffles, and pies, Powers and Sulka hoped to raise $6,500 dollars for the Make a Wish Foundation, and they indeed accomplished their goal.

The foundation is a cause that raises money for children with terminal diseases. Make a Wish gives money to the families of children who will die in the near future and have one last wish before they go but their parents do not have the money to grant it. Some wishes include going to Disney World, swimming with dolphins, or even something as simple as owning a pink dollhouse.

Some of the main contributors at the event include Towers as well as a neighbor of Sulka, Helen Harde. Towers donated over $100 towards the foundation and paid for everyone in the room so that they could throw at least one pie at an administrator. Harde donated even more.

“She told Kate that she would match whatever we happened to raise at the event. Now we reached our goal of $6,500 mostly because of her,” said Powers.
Back in winter, Sulka and Powers had a clear picture as to how they wanted to end their last year in high school. Ideas for this were confirmed during their English class. Inspiration for the event was easy to come by.

“Kate loves the idea of the foundation— and especially since we both love little kids we decided that we wanted to help them anyway we can,” said Powers.

Hopes as to whether or not events such as this will occur in the future is up to the seniors in the years to come. During prom pictures at the common, Lucey commented on how it would be great if this event turned into an annual project and hopes that others will take up the challenge in the future.

As of now, 208,012 children have had their wishes granted by the Make a Wish Foundation. Despite the fact that these children will die of terminal diseases does not change the fact that with the help of people such as Powers and Sulka, these children are living the rest of their lives to the fullest knowing that there are people out there who truly care and are willing to fight for their happiness.

Adam Goldberg with a pie of a toupe