School service project raises money to help feed the hungry

Fourth-grader Molly Habegger of Indianapolis poses as St. Theodore Guérin at the conclusion of St. Luke School’s fourth annual fundraiser to benefit the Food Link, a poverty relief ministry in Marion County, on May 26. The students researched noteworthy people with past or present connections to Indiana then dressed in elaborate costumes and presented memorized speeches about their lives. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

By Mary Ann Wyand

These lessons will last a lifetime.

For the fourth year, St. Luke the Evangelist School fourth-graders in Indianapolis participated in a memorable community service project on May 26 that raised more than $4,800 to help feed hungry people in Marion County.

At the same time, the students gained valuable experience in public speaking, which will help them in countless ways with their grade school, high school and collegiate studies as well as future careers.

Long after school adjourns for summer vacation, the 66 fourth-graders will remember how much fun they had helping the poor through their fundraising efforts for the Food Link, a poverty relief ministry started about 20 years ago by St. Luke parishioners Dick and Winn Tinkham of Indianapolis.

The students won’t forget their speeches either because they spent hours memorizing biographical information so they could portray famous people with Indiana connections that have made a positive difference in the lives of others.

This educational and theatrical project was especially enjoyable because the students and their parents worked together to create elaborate and authentic costumes depicting noteworthy people connected to the Hoosier state’s past and present.

Fourth-grader Kennedy Evans portrayed Harriet Beecher Stowe, an abolitionist and the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which was published in 1852.

“She was against slavery,” Kennedy said. “I wanted to portray her because she was a very interesting person.”

Dressed in a nun’s habit, fourth-grader Molly Habegger said she wants to be a teacher someday so she chose to portray Mother Theodore Guérin, who founded the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods in 1840 and brought Catholic education to children living in the Indiana wilderness.

“She was very holy,” Molly said of St. Theodora, Indiana’s first saint. “She explains that God is always there for us. … She spent 58 years of her life serving God. [Her story] inspired me, and she challenged me to serve God for my whole life.”

Cassie Habegger, Molly’s mother, is one of the three fourth-grade teachers at St. Luke School.

“At home and at school, it’s been interesting because I’ve really seen the kids grow and develop as students,” Habegger said. “They learned to write a research report and to do an oral presentation. They also grew as spiritual individuals because they helped serve the people at the Food Link several times. By donating their time, they are giving back to the community. As a mom, I’m glad to see the kids have this opportunity. And as a teacher, I see the value of the learning behind it.”

Fourth-grader John Whiting decided to study the life of Knute Rockne, the legendary football player and coach at the University of Notre Dame.

Memorizing facts about Rockne’s achievements “helped me to become a stronger student,” John said. “It helped me with my grammar, reading and speaking skills.”

John said he also learned more about football, which he enjoys playing in the archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization league as a running back and linebacker on St. Luke School’s fourth-grade team.

Maureen Whiting said her son enjoyed preparing his educational speech.

“He learned to use better speech skills,” Whiting said, “and was more creative in order to get the message across to his audience about what a great man Knute Rockne was, and how much he contributed to coaching and football.”

The students “rehearsed together, listened to each other’s speeches and made constructive comments,” she said. “They really worked together as a team to put on this great production.”

Fourth-grade teacher Tara Land, who started the living history service project, said she is proud of the students for working so hard on their presentations and for volunteering at the Food Link with their parents on Saturdays throughout the school year.

“I wanted them to learn about people who have made a difference and to be able to make a difference themselves,” Land said. “And I wanted them to learn about how important it is to serve God and that, even though they’re young, they can make a huge difference in Indiana.” †