National Honor Society builds bears for good cause
Feb 15, 2024 10:13AM ● By Ethan Hoffmann
After returning to Morgan High School, NHS members pose with their bears. Courtesy photo
Last month the Morgan High School chapter of the National Honor Society participated in a fundraiser. On Jan. 29, students met at the high school, boarded buses requested by an advisor, and left Morgan at around 4:15. Then, the drivers transported the NHS members to Station Park, Farmington where they visited Build-A-Bear. NHS presidents decided on the service opportunity earlier this year and scheduled a date. One of the presidents called the location ahead of time to coordinate with them so that they could host the activity.
According to Jessica Wiscombe, a math teacher and NHS advisor at MHS, visiting Build-A-Bear “is something the chapter has done for years, and members really enjoy participating.” After arrival, the students were divided into two groups. Half of the students went to Build-A-Bear to make bears while the other half roamed around the local businesses and ate dinner. Then the groups switched.
Previously, members paid a twenty-dollar fee in order to attend the activity and provide funding. NHS presidents worked with the financial secretaries at the school to collect the money and prepare for the expenses required. “National Honor Society members always enjoy the opportunity to create bears to give to kids in need,” commented Heidi Valdez, the second NHS advisor for the Morgan chapter. “This is an annual event for our members. It is fun to see the members' personalities shine through the bears they design and the joy the members get by serving other kids in need.”
At Build-A-Bear, members separated into pairs and were allowed to pick a bear and as many accessories as they wanted as long as the total cost was within the price range. 37 bears were made in total and all of them were donated to the Primary Children's Hospital. “I was so impressed with how the members handled themselves throughout the night,” said Wiscombe. “Build-A-Bear employees commented on how smooth the evening went, and how fun it was to see so many youths come together for a good cause.” λ
