By Gloria Kim, South Pasadena High School, Grade 10
March 21, 2011___
For the past three weeks, South Pasadena High School (SPHS) has been participating in a nation-wide program called Pennies for Patients. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s School and Youth Programs, which leads the Pennies for Patients project, is an organization with the goal of working towards finding a cure for blood cancer.
In South Pasadena, both the city’s exclusive middle and high schools have been taking part in this project for several years. In order to encourage students to donate for the cause, the Associated Student Body at SPHS announced that students would fundraise with their 4th period peers, and that a pasta party would be awarded to the class that raises the most amount of money.
With the fundraising coming to a close, Mr. Afram’s fourth period class raised over five hundred dollars, putting their class in second place. The students’ main motivation has been because of their English teacher’s absence from December through February. Mr. Afram’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“After all he’s been through, I feel as if we almost owe it to him,” said Skyler Anselmo, a student in Mr. Afram’s class.
“We’re a little short [of winning] but, we all want to win it for Mr. Afram,” added Skyler’s classmate, Bryan Bednarski. “It’s a chance for us to show our appreciation for him.”
