Serena Liu

Juniors Laith Alhamid and Brooke Hoenecke sell candy canes at lunch to raise money for Future Business Leaders of America. The funds go towards paying the club’s competition costs. “Last time I went to Nationals, it was in Atlanta and that [requires] a whole plane ticket. We also have to get a bus for state and hotel rooms, so it’s really expensive,” junior and FBLA treasurer Brooke Hoenecke said.

Candy Cane Exchange

This week, Future Business Leaders of America is hosting their annual Candy Cane Exchange. For $1, students can purchase candy canes to be delivered to a recipient of their choice. Each candy cane can come with a complimentary note.

“We’re on track to sell around 100 this whole week like we did last year,”  FBLA executive aide and junior Laith Alhamid said. “We’re hoping to get as much money as we can. It’s a fun little thing to do every year for the holidays. It’s to get funds for the club, especially for district and state trips.”

Candy canes can be purchased with cash, Venmo or CashApp. The Candy Cane Exchange is one of many activities that students in FBLA can participate in throughout the year. 

“We compete in different events, so we take tests or do case studies and presentations over various topics,” junior and FBLA treasurer Hoenecke said. “My favorite part is just the whole community. Everyone is fun and really enjoys business, and everyone just has that mentality of wanting to get to the next step, the next competition.”

A $2 solution

This week, the Red Cross Club is fundraising to help children get vaccinations for measles in Kenya, Benin and Ethiopia. A $2 donation covers the cost for one child to get vaccinated.

“In the Western world, people have this belief that diseases like measles are a thing of the past. But the reality is [that] this is a very real problem for people in developing countries. A lot of people need to start understanding that, so that’s why we’re raising awareness and trying to help this cause,” junior Omar Eloliby said.

While the Americas have eliminated measles, it continues to persist in countries worldwide. Each day, an estimated 400 children die of measles. 

“As people come up and ask about what we’re raising for, it’s great to see how people will open their hearts for a cause like this one, to save children all around the world,” junior Sid Kaparthi said.

Dressing up and giving back

The Holiday Cup is a competition between all four Parkway high schools. Each school competes to tally up how many students dress up throughout the week and collect the most clothing donations. Students can donate coats, hats, sweaters, mittens, scarves and boots.

“This is important because we are giving back to our community by donating new or gently used winter clothing to the Charity Clothing PickUp STL,”  class president and senior Andrew Son said. “Students can help by participating in the Spirit Days and donating any winter clothing. We would appreciate it.”

Charity Clothing Pickup seeks to help fund local and national nonprofits by distributing used clothes, while also reducing textile waste. Donation bins can be found near the main gym and cafeteria. 

“We’re doing it for a good cause. Trying to raise both awareness and support for any cause adds to the community feel of this place, where we take care of each other,” Assistant Principal Mario Pupillo said. “School spirit in general makes [school] a fun atmosphere. It adds that [feeling of] community [that] we’re all doing this together. It creates a lot of interaction with students [and] staff.”