Each year, during Friends Academy’s event filled night that consists of the Original Works presentation and the AP Art Portfolio show, the Diversity Committee puts on a fundraiser for the Diversity Grant Fund. The Diversity Grant Fund’s purpose is to provide financial assistance for families who need help paying for school related resources, tools, and opportunities that are not already covered by tuition. For instance, if a student needs a laptop, or perhaps wants to attend a school trip abroad, there is money put away in the fund to help provide such resources and valuable experiences.
Exceeding their original goal of raising $5,000, the committee was able to collect a grand total of $6,700! Having attended the event filled night myself, I saw firsthand the great dose of effort that the committee collectively put into making such a great success possible. Along with providing a dinner full of various food options to accompany viewing of the art show, members of the committee could be seen diligently circling the atrium with pink hats to collect donations. Additionally, the Diversity Committee merch booth sold crew necks, water bottles, t-shirts, and pins, all of which can be seen worn and used by faculty and students around campus everyday! Furthermore, FA students who aren’t on the committee also contributed other efforts to raise money. In particular, sophomore student Meher put on a booth sponsored by his club, the Interfaith Society, while cards that mirrored copies of art presented in the art show were also for sale, with all proceeds from both efforts going towards the fund.
In order to gain access to a behind the scenes look at the night in its totality, I was able to catch up with Reagan Ward, a fellow junior who currently serves as the Event Coordinator for the Diversity Committee. Reagan herself acknowledged the “massive success” that the fundraiser achieved from a financial standpoint, but also made sure to recognize the entire night that was “filled with fun and smiles” from those who were involved. When asked about how the committee was able to organize and follow through on their ambitious goals, Reagan said that she “believes the work we put in behind the scenes really showed,” as she made sure to also “give a special thanks to our leadership board” for modeling virtues of dedication, simplicity, and guidance throughout the entire planning process.
Aside from her own committee however, Reagan also made sure to shout out those in attendance “who came to support Original Works and the AP Art Show,”. In combination with the students’ devoted work, it was the Quaker supporting friends and family who were able to have their own profound impact on the necessary work that transpired. The purposeful culmination of so many Friends Academy community members that took place this night truly speaks to the school’s strong bond and care for one another.
