Racine Lutheran Leadership Project Benefits Community

Jason Pica, a junior at Racine Lutheran High School, recently put “feet to his faith” with an event benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

As part of its curriculum, Racine Lutheran offers a Christian Leadership class. This course creates a pathway to service for students, walking them through Biblical models of Christian service, then helping them lead hands-on projects in the congregation or community.

Jason organized a basketball tournament for 3^rd and 4^th grade boys and girls, held March 23 at St. John’s Lutheran School, to raise funds and awareness for people battling leukemia and lymphoma cancer. He introduced a young leukemia patient, Nicholas Grove of Franksville, along with his family, to the crowd of about 100 attendees.

Nicholas was diagnosed at three years of age and is now almost six. He and his mother, Theresa, and his sister, Katherine, shared the family’s personal struggles living with leukemia. Chelsea Ostrov, a representative from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, then spoke about ongoing work to find a cure for blood cancers.

Eric Feest, defensive back for the Racine Raiders, and Timothy Naegeli, former Boston Celtics NBA draft pick, joined the program to emphasize the importance of living healthy, active lives. Other participants included Jamie Morland, Miss Racine’s Outstanding Teen 2013; Elise Elmblad, Miss Racine 2013; Mara Mandli, Miss Bell City’s Outstanding Teen 2013; and Jason’s pastor, the Rev. David R. Green of Gregg Chapel CME Church.

Six teams played in the double-elimination basketball tournament, with “The Five Elements” team from Trinity Lutheran School taking top prize. Each player and spectator contributed a small fee, helping to raise $950 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Racine Lutheran Principal David Burgess notes, “Jesus provides the ultimate example of servant leadership, where a leader, in fact, serves the people he leads. Our Christian Leadership curriculum prepares students to become the servant-leaders of tomorrow—in our communities and in our companies. Jason did an excellent job organizing and implementing this service project in a way that truly touched lives. Christian education at Racine Lutheran is more than simply knowing about faith; you live it here.”

Racine Lutheran High School offers a full curriculum incorporating challenging academics and Christian service. To learn more, please visit RacineLutheran.org and call the Admissions Office at 262/637-6538. The school is located at 251 Luedtke Ave., off Spring Street in Racine.

Photo: Left to right are Theresa, Nicholas, and Katherine Grove, with Racine Lutheran student Jason Pica and Chelsea Ostrov of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.