Students raise $1,500 from charity basketball game

Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, May 1, 2008

Niagara-Wheatfield students, Don Schildhauer and Jessica Niesser, present Stacie Waddell, special events director for the Western New York Region of the American Cancer Society, a $1,500 check representing the proceeds from their recent charity basketball game.

Students attending Niagara-Wheatfield High School want to make a difference in the lives of those battling cancer, especially since one of their own is currently fighting the disease.

They recently presented the American Cancer Society with a check for $1,500, proceeds from a charity basketball game that featured the Buffalo Sabres Alumni against members of the Niagara-Wheatfield faculty.

Members of the Students in Action and marketing classes organized the event.

“It was a lot of fun and a great way to put what we are learning in the classroom into action,” said Don Schildhauer, one of the student organizers. “I really love the class.”

Jessica Niesser, Sarah Reinhold and Carly Gruarin, all members of the Students In Action class, were responsible for organizing a basket auction that took place during the basketball game. Don Schildhauer, Megan Walck, Jacob Vivian and Hannah Ball, along with students from the marketing class, were responsible for organizing and promoting the basketball game.

As part of their business class curriculum, advisor and faculty member Kevin Schucker has students working on several different projects this year.

He explains, “In one class we are selling school lanyards and bracelets, and in another class we have been selling sweatshirts. Each class has been selling the merchandise in an effort to raise funds for various organizations. We thought the charity basketball game was another great way to raise money.”

In conjunction with the classroom curriculum, the students have been learning about business and marketing practices from a local attorney who volunteers his time through Junior Achievement.

Stacie Waddell, special events director for the Western New York Region of the American Cancer Society, accepted the donation and said, “We are pleased to be the recipient of such a generous contribution. Money raised will help cancer patients and their families in Western New York through the various free programs and services offered by the American Cancer Society. We are fortunate to be part of a community that cares so much.”