Each year, St. Thomas High School conducts the Round Up fundraiser in our school’s financial aid fund. This year, St. Thomas is trying to raise $1,000,000! Round Up, this great event that has such a direct impact on so many students’ lives, makes us all a part of the outstanding education offered by St. Thomas.
We St. Thomas people are a community of goodness, discipline, and knowledge. One of the ways in which we do this in a way that all members are capable of utilizing our school without the aspect of finance is by including financial aid. Round Up is our primary fundraiser that directly funnels into aid in a way that we can support our fellow classmates that are not necessarily capable of paying for it fully. Were it not for the help of our alumni, families, and local business communities, some of our students would be unable to afford to come to St. Thomas, or would have to leave if the family fortunes take a downturn.
Why is Round Up necessary? Above all, it gives students like me the security of knowing that they can stress about future school assignments and projects without having to question whether or not they’ll be able to afford tuition next year. School is stressful enough with homework, honors, and stressing about how to properly prepare ourselves for college. Round Up takes that pressure factor out of the equation, so we’re secure enough and worthwhile enough to do our utmost.
In addition, Round Up opens St. Thomas up to a more heterogeneous and diverse group of students. The more assistance we can offer, the more diversified our student body will become. That diversity enhances our community of learners in all of our dimensions. We learn from one another‘s vastly different environments, cultures, and worldviews, and it cannot be replicated. Support brings students from every conceivable background and lifestyle and, ultimately, makes our entire school stronger.
Most of all, however, is the manner in which Round Up brings us together as a school. It’s not just a fund-raiser; it’s looking out for each other. By giving in some way—whether it’s a few dollars, assisting to work events, or even just assisting to get the word out about the fundraiser—we’re demonstrating that we really do look after each other and after our school. It‘s a reminder that St. Thomas is something greater than just a school; it‘s a brotherhood. We‘re all in this together, and Round Up allows us to say that in such a great way.
Finally, Round Up reminds us of the need to give back. We don’t all need money necessarily when we’re at St. Thomas, but we do need to remember that once we’ve completed the graduation, we owe a debt to those who are behind us and pay back. As a member of Round Up, we’re ensuring that those who follow in our footsteps will reap the same rewards that we do. It‘s a sense of brotherhood and generosity that solidifies the roots of our school year in and year out.
Round Up is really an investment in St. Thomas High School‘s future, not a fundraiser. We make our school home to all our students to thrive wherever they are from with Round Up. We join together, strengthen our community, and endow the St. Thomas tradition for years to come. Let’s shoot for that $1,000,000 mark and leave a legacy for our school and for those still coming behind us.
