Whiz Kids: RHS Students Organize Midnight Run

Each week, Rye Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid.  Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to satta@ patch.com.

Here's our story on this week's Whiz Kids:

Brianne Adler, Caley Carlisle, Carlee Moses, Courtney Colwell, Kate Whiston, Gabrielle Amaturo, Nora Friedmann, Charlotte Kirby, Melissa Lugones, Jacquie Kinghan, Stephanie Mullane, Lucia Villani, and Marissa Licursi.

Freshmen at Rye High School 

Whiz Kids Accomplishment: Brianne Adler and a group of her friends have organized two Midnight Run drives. The group of 13 girls distributed food, clothing, and personal items to homeless people in New York City in June of last year and this past January.

Keys to Awesomeness: Adler and her friends raised money and solicited supplies for the two drives by reaching out to the community and getting others involved. Along the way, they have learned a lesson about compassion, selflessness, and giving.

"We had no idea what to expect—but it ended up being extremely touching and then we wanted to do it again," said Brianne.

After working with teacher Craig Dreves on a successful Midnight Run in June, the girls decided they would make a second effort this past January. The winter date made things more challenging and the girls stepped up to the occasion.

In order to get winter clothing and hot food to distribute, the girls got busy shovelling snow,  holding bake sales, and soliciting clothing donations and money from the community.

They were energized by the idea of helping others, but caught off guard by the effect those they touched had upon them.

"When we finally reached our goal we were all relieved and hyped for the run, said Brianne. " We expected to see less people due to the terrible weather, but ended up seeing over 150 homeless men and women. They weren’t crazy, mean, or unusual, they were normal people with a very unfortunate lifestyle."

The girls passed out warm clothes, blankets and food in Penn Station to people sleeping on floors to escape the icy cold weather.  Adler says she and her friends realized then it the impact of connecting with others .

"At that point, as a group, I think that we realized how important this organization and our job is, and how small things like giving a homeless man a shirt he is confident in can make a huge difference," said Brianne.

"In such an affluent community like Rye," said Brianne, " it’s such an unique experience to see our connection to people that appear to be nothing like us.  It has made us, as friends and as people, appreciate all that we have and show compassion for those who don’t."

Brianne says the group will continue organizing their bi-annual Midnight Runs through their senior year.