During the lunch periods of January 24 through February 4th, donations were open to help support seven year old Blake Michel. Blake Michel is the nephew of Mr. Michel, who is the Assistant Baseball coach and art teacher. Sadly, in late November 2021, Blake Michel was diagnosed with a form of childhood cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Blake is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments at Akron Children’s Hospital. Over these past weeks students and staff helped raise money for the cause. 

“Blake and his entire family have been extremely fortunate for an outpouring of support from friends, family, and surrounding communities. The RHS community has shown their support through generous donations including to GoFundMe and from the Athletic Health Care program,” said Mr Michel.

At Roosevelt there are currently three fundraisers underway to help support Blake. Scottie Spears has created one through the DECA program to help raise funds. “Scottie and the Spears Family have been close friends to the Michel Family for many years.  We are very grateful for their kindness and selflessness through this difficult time,” Mr. Michel said.

To get more students involved, the DECA program made a competition out of the fundraiser. Not between the grades, but between the teachers themselves. Whichever teacher has the most donations in their bin gets pied in the face. This then involves more kids, who can all get behind the great cause. The teachers include Mr. Hibbs, Mrs. Golden, Mrs. Harr, Mr. Marquette, Mrs. Watt, and Mrs. Puhalla.

Classes have also joined the cause. The class of 2023 canned food drive helped show their support through social media. They created a post to get more students involved, stating, “For every like this gets…We will donate one dollar towards pie-ing Mrs. Golden.” Currently, the post is at 617 likes.

“There is also a women’s basketball fundraiser taking place on February 2nd during their home game.The team has dedicated this game to honor Blake. In addition, this spring the baseball team will be holding a scrimmage preview with multiple teams. Ticket sales for this event will benefit Blake and his family,” Mr. Michel said. He also added, “Although Blake has a long journey ahead of him, he is the toughest kid I know.”

With that being said, everyone at Roosevelt should do their part and donate to the cause. Donating and fundraising is not hard for students at Roosevelt at all. With the goal crushed at the canned food drive in November, students can help save a kid’s life.