Homecoming week amounts to more than just floats and football: it's about a community coming together for a common cause.
This year, VHHS is banding together to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Alabama (CFF), a cause that hits close to home for the Rebel family. The CFF is a nonprofit that funds the research of and treatment development for Cystic Fibrosis (CF), a genetic disorder that causes mucus to build up in key organs such as the lungs and pancreas. This buildup can have numerous effects on the body, one of the most severe being a shortened life span. Several members of the Rebel family and larger Vestavia Hills community suffer from CF, making supporting this year's fall charity all the more important.
While the entire school is participating in this fundraiser, five representatives are leading the fight: the Homecoming King Nominees. Luke Pappalardo is representing the band, Ethan Sparks is representing the senior class, Charlie Ingram is representing the junior class, Leyton Downey is representing the sophomore class, and Grayer Manown is representing the freshman class. I had the opportunity to speak with the group about their participation in the fundraiser.
I first asked the nominees why supporting the CFF is important to them, and there was a shared sentiment of wanting to improve the lives of people with CF, both within our city and beyond. Leyton shared that he wants those affected by CF "to have more opportunities for a better quality of life." They value the opportunity to lead the community in raising awareness for CF and funding this hardworking charity. Additionally, Ethan said he wants to "help show the families of people who struggle with CF that they're not alone."
While they may all value their roles for similar reasons, where the nominees departed is how to carry out that role. The Homecoming King Nominees are responsible for curating and executing large-scale fundraising events to help their class or group raise the most money. The nominee with the largest sum resulting from their efforts wins the title of Homecoming King.
Here are the strategies that each nominee employed to try and win the kingship. Luke is conducting a raffle and seeking out donations from local businesses. Ethan is also organizing raffles and is selling candy to the student body. Charlie is heading up a letter-writing campaign to encourage donations from friends and family, as well as leading a raffle. Leyton is organizing a spirit night at Troup's Pizza, arranged for the Doodle's truck to sell treats at the Main Campus, and is also conducting a letter-writing campaign. Grayer has brought the Doodle's truck to the Freshman Campus. Additionally, all of the nominees sold t-shirts to their respective class or group.
Each nominee is looking forward to the culmination of their hard work: Homecoming week. I asked them what they were most excited for during this time of celebration, and after hearing mentions of dress-up days, pep rallies, and beating Chelsea, I got the general sense that each was excited to see the student body come together through feelings of philanthropy and school spirit. Charlie put it best—the nominees, along with the rest of the school, are ready "to show the CFF community what it means to be 1Rebel."
Lastly, I wanted to see if the nominees had any final pieces of advice for their class or group as we near the end of the Homecoming season. Each encouraged their classmates to get involved in the fundraiser in one way or another, because, as Luke stated, "the CFF is an outstanding organization that deserves every penny given their way."
This year's Homecoming King will be announced at the Homecoming pep rally, so be sure to help out your nominee in their efforts to support a worthwhile cause. The floats and football are fun, but the ability to come together for a common cause is what ultimately bands VHHS together as 1Rebel.
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