Typhoon Haiyan started raging through portions of Southeast Asia on Nov. 3, and didn’t falter from its destructive path until Nov. 11, after the severely powerful tropical cyclone had already caused 5,260 fatalities. At Marshall, students coordinated a fundraiser to send money to UNICEF—money that would be used to aid those who had sadly been affected in the Philippines. In total, students raised $850.
The fundraiser had the incentive of teacher volunteers who had the most money donated in their names singing karaoke onstage, which unsurprisingly proved to be a great encouragement for students to donate.
“We played with ideas like teacher dance routines and group performances but ultimately decided on karaoke,” sophomore Megan Kenny said. “It had a fun initiative that motivated the student body to be more active.”
However, the effort made by students to send help to the Philippines wasn’t limited to the fundraiser. Sophomore Chloe Molinos worked with her church to send supplies where they were needed. “We collected and packed up as many sleeping bags and tents as we could from family and friends,” said Molinos. “My family in the Philippines thankfully dodged the typhoon. But it’s good to help those in need anyway!” Indeed, that spirit was clearly an important part of Marshall’s fundraiser, and it created a great atmosphere in the auditorium. Along with the glee of students, ready to see their teachers sing popular songs, there was a feeling that something good had been achieved.
The teachers in question bravely performed for the good cause in the auditorium on Nov. 17, easily taking a few hiccups with the audio in their stride.
“I will say that is was very nerve-wracking. I’ve never done anything like that before—I was nervous and shaking,” Social Studies teacher Ilsa Tinkelman said.
Overall, despite the minor technical difficulties and understandable nervousness, the karaoke fundraiser was a definite success.