Teacher Related

K-12 students at Valders schools started a donation campaign for individuals affected by the war in Ukraine gathering many goods.

“Putting this drive together made me a better person I feel like, just because I contributed to knowing that these people have stuff to survive,” Valders High School Senior Taylor Hammel said.

Madison Schwartz, another senior, also helped in organizing the drive. “I got a message on a Friday saying that we were starting this on Monday. So, we quickly put a bunch of kids together, made posters. Made announcements,” Schwartz said.

It took a district-wide effort to help the Ukrainians. Hand-made cards were produced by students in kindergarten through fifth grade, and messages were written on them. Students in a graphics design class developed posters that were displayed across the campus.

“As we got more information over the week…some of the students reconfigured their designs so it can have more info on it,” Tim Woodcock, a graphics design teacher, said.

According to history instructor Tyler Martell, images of the battle on social media have helped to youngsters getting more interested.

“The students are so connected to what’s going on in the world today through TikTok, Snapchat and other social media. They ask me questions and that can take the first 10, 20 minutes of class,” Martell said.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, according to senior Luke Risse, has made him more conscious of the benefits of living in a democratic nation.

“Living in America and being able to experience all the things that America offers….it also comes with a downside because we realize how much other people don’t have,” Risse said.

Despite the fact that Valders only has approximately a thousand students, the contribution campaign has demonstrated how giving the community can be.

“Maybe give up a meal from a fast-food restaurant in order to purchase cut green beans to send abroad, it’s awesome,” Valders math teacher Rachel Lensmire said.

On Friday, a teacher will deliver the products to Green Bay, and the contribution will then be sent to Poland and Ukraine. Students think that this will help Ukrainians’ tired souls.

“No matter like who you are, you can make a difference in someone else’s life whether you see the difference or not,” Ellie Vertz, a senior, said.