Lucaya International School (LIS) promotes helping those who are in need, as well as teaching its students to lend a hand. The school participates annually in beach clean-ups, Grand Bahama Children's Home fundraisers and various food and toy drives.
As part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, students are required to do community service projects known as "creativity, activity and service" (CAS) hours. After the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew on areas like Pinder's Point, Eight Mile Rock, Lewis Yard and West End, the IB students chose to help those in need. Students began serving meals and assisting with debris clean-up in Lewis Yard and Pinder's Point.
"When you go in the areas you see the roof damage and the destruction of so many homes," said IB student and head girl Carlie McBrayer. "We fed over 200 people, but we know we need to do more. These families need a bit of help to get them back to normal."
The students soon realized they needed money to help support their efforts, so they came up with the idea of a fundraiser that would be fun as well as make money at the same time.
The students enlisted the help of the senior administration staff Michael Lowery, LIS headmaster; Andrew Moeller, LIS head of secondary; and Nicholas May, LIS head of primary. All three heads of school stepped up for the shave-off challenge and the gentleman who raised the most funds agreed to have his head shaved in front of the entire school during assembly. The students were asked to donate funds toward shaving off one of the competitors.
Last Friday, the entire school came together for an assembly to see who was the winner of the fundraising and most importantly who would get shaved. While Headmaster Lowery narrowly received the most donations, all three administrators agreed if the amount raised was over $3,000, they would all shave their heads.
"I'm more than happy to participate," said Lowery. "I am proud of our students and their families for coming up big and raising $3,146. I know our students will put the money to good use and bring much-needed aid for the community."
Students will now set about planning their next set of work. They are working closely with the Lucaya Presbyterian Church and Rotary Club, which has an LIS Interact Club (a Youth Rotary division). Though they know they will need more funds to assist so many affected, the students are excited to get started with immediate repairs.
"We plan on doing a lot more fundraising this school year because the need is great," said Brian Rolle, IB student at LIS. "When you go out into the community, you see that it will take weeks, months and maybe years for some people's lives to get back to normal. I am so happy to help those on my island in need and bring them relief to the devastation from Hurricane Matthew."
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