Southwest Students Fundraise for NYC Trip

“This has just been an exceptional group of kids,” art teacher Cecily Spano said of this year’s seniors. 

And she means its. Along with fellow teacher Chris Fisher, Spano is taking 30 art and theater seniors to New York City from April 20-23. 

Fisher said the idea was Spano’s, noting that she wanted to do something to reward this year’s seniors and that, if you’re an artist or theater person, New York City is the place to go. “Cecily’s one of the great art teachers anywhere, ever," Fisher said. "Anytime she has an idea, I tend to say yes."

When Spano said she wanted to reward the seniors, she meant all of them, not just those who could afford the trip. With 30 students set to depart on Wednesday, about three-fourths of them have the funds to go. The other quarter of students do not. It’s spring of senior year, and with college fast approaching, funds are tight. In addition to that, some students work to help support their families. Some have never been on a plane. 

Amelia Bolstad is one student who will depend on the scholarship. Bolstad feels lucky to even have the opportunity to go.

“I’m hoping to see some plays and see a bigger city,” she said. “I haven’t really been anywhere that’s bigger than [Minneapolis]. Acting’s my favorite thing ever and New York is the center for that.”

A fundraiser was set up to help this group of hardworking students head east. Through a Flower Power Fundraising site, which was started on April 2, people can order flower bulbs and plants, with 50 percent of the profits going directly to the Southwest High School fundraiser. So far, just over $600 has been raised. Roughly $3,000 is needed to cover the students who are traveling on scholarship.

There’s nearly $2,400 left to raise, and yet the plans are set and the tickets are booked. How? It’s all on Spano’s credit card. And if the funds aren’t raised? “Well,” Spano said, “Right now it’s on my credit card.” Fisher plans to contribute to it as well. 

This may all sound like a giant leap of faith, but Fisher said that’s nothing new. 

“That’s teaching," Fisher said. "Really, teaching is a daily leap of faith." 

As for plans while the group is in the Big Apple, Spano said they’ll be visiting museums during the day and attending performances at night, along with “some dorky touristy stuff like riding the Staten Island Ferry.”

To contribute to the Southwest High School Art/Theater trip (and spruce up your garden while you’re at it), visit their Flower Power Fundraising site. The site will be available until April 29.