Class of 2022 raises flood relief funds

High School students and faculty crowded around the Edgehill steps on Friday, Oct. 1 for Assembly. As is customary for this full community time, Student Body Vice President Ainsley McMillan began the meeting and various teams, clubs, and organizations shared announcements. Then the meeting took an unusual turn; senior class officers took the mic, and at the top of the steps, four whipped cream topped pumpkin pies could be spotted. 

In September, senior student council members held a fundraiser to help provide relief to those affected by the Humphreys County flood in late-August. 

“I felt obligated to use my platform to help the community beyond USN,” shared Senior Class President Krishin Parikh, who spearheaded the fundraiser. “We landed on flood relief because it was relevant at the time and personal to those who know loved ones in that area.”

Students and faculty were encouraged to donate for a chance to pie one of four High School faculty in the face — Math Teacher Andy Hedman, Science Teacher Wilson Hubbell, Math Teacher Allie Van Konynenburg, and Division Head Quinton Walker. In three days, students raised $438 for the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s flood relief fund. Each entry was $2, or donors could unlock a bulk discount by donating $10 for 10 entries; with no limit on the amount one could donate, the more money given increased an individual's chance at winning the honor of throwing a pie in the face of these beloved, and brave, teachers. 

With Assembly underway, the drawing began. Names were called, pies thrown, and cheers and laughter broke out across the lawn, even capturing the attention of nearby Middle School students during their snack break. Though the activity was lighthearted, the fundraiser’s meaning and impact was far from lost on the USN community. As Krishin noted, there were students, faculty, and staff with loved ones affected by the flood including Alumni Director Patti Wexler whose mother’s home was destroyed. 

“Just to know that our students understand the devastation that occurred, and to see them take action to help, meant so much to me,” Wexler shared. “I feel like a lot of people don’t fully realize how hard this has been, so knowing that the school community cares was really uplifting.”