Education

Take Note

April 02, 2003 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Pennies From Heaven

When the Great Northern Paper mill, a major employer in Millinocket, Maine, suddenly closed its doors last December, unemployment spelled heartache for the parents and students of Stearns and Schenck high schools.

Shrinking finances meant that the two schools would not be able to host their yearly proms.

But help from more fortunate neighbors in a tony vacation spot four hours to the south was about to turn the tide.

Students from Kennebunk High School learned of the situation and quickly began discussing how they could help the schools put on their annual rite of passage.

“Ideas were batted around as to what to do,” said John Daley, a U.S. history teacher at the 800-student Kennebunk High who heads one of several student forums supported by the school’s advisory program.

Mr. Daley said 16-year-old junior Sara Towne, a member of his forum group, suggested that students raise money to help pay for a prom for the Millinocket students.

The school’s 32- member student council agreed, and established a quarter drive to raise the prom funds.

Mr. Daley’s forum group put four large jugs that had contained spring water outside the cafeteria during the school’s annual Spirit Week and encouraged students and faculty members to donate their spare change.

They raised nearly $2,000, of which only $710 was actually in quarters. Students painstakingly counted out dimes, nickels, and pennies for several hours before announcing the final total.

“The kids were amazed,” Mr. Daley said. “We put the change into four big piles, and they got together and counted it. I’ve never seen $2,000 worth of change on the floor before. It was awesome.”

But the drive raised more than prom money, he said. Community businesses and school organizations became aware of the plight of the mill town’s residents and offered Millinocket students discount dresses, hair styling, and accessories for the big night.

Their prom is scheduled for this spring.

“I think the one thing kids here realized is that what they did really added up to something,” Mr. Daley said.

“They learned that they can do positive things to effect change.”

—Marianne D. Hurst

Events

Student Achievement Webinar What Effective Tutoring Should Look Like—and Achieve
Join this webinar to learn how to sustain effective tutoring programs that help improve students' performance in reading and math.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Mathematics Webinar
Engaging Every Learner: Strategies to Boost Math Motivation
Math Motivation Boost! Research & real tips to engage learners.
Content provided by Prodigy Education
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Student Well-Being Webinar
The Ripple Effect: Mental Health & Student Outcomes
Learn how student mental health impacts outcomes—and how to use that data to support your school’s IEP funding strategy.
Content provided by Huddle Up

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Education Quiz How Is Trump Changing School Discipline Rules? Take This Week’s Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Education Briefly Stated: April 30, 2025
Here's a look at some recent Education Week articles you may have missed.
8 min read
Education Quiz What Is Trump’s New AI Plan for K-12 Schools? Take This Weekly Quiz
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Illustration of tasks assisted with AI.
Canva
Education Quiz ICYMI: Moms for Liberty Launched Its Own University And More
Test your knowledge on the latest news and trends in education.
1 min read
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the Moms for Liberty annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at the Moms for Liberty annual convention in Washington, Friday, Aug. 30, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP