admin To kick off the ultimate week of Norman Excessive’s annual fundraiser, Assistant Principal Greg Willis frolicked Monday on the varsity’s roof.
Norman Excessive’s philanthropy season, often known as Tigerpalooza Week, advantages different non-profit organizations in the neighborhood annually.
Faculty college students are planning occasions all through the week to boost this 12 months’s grantee funds for Not Your Common Joe, a espresso store that employs college students and adults with mental, developmental, and bodily disabilities.
Throughout recess, Willis sat on a garden chair on the prime of the varsity and joked with the scholars.
“It is nice to assist hard-working college students,” he informed The Transcript. “Elevating $100 each hour retains me right here.”
Willis began the day on the roof above the band room at 8:00 a.m. and the scholars saved up sufficient cash to maintain him there till college ended at 4:15 p.m.
“This retailer employs folks with mental and bodily disabilities, which is nice,” mentioned Lydia Bouchard, Tigerpalooza’s vice chairman.
Tigerpalooza co-chair, senior Emma Henry, mentioned college students will sing at school or do different actions to boost funds, and even school like Willis have enjoyable typically.
Co-Chairman Claire Hopper mentioned the week’s efforts culminated in a schoolwide celebration Thursday at 1:30 p.m. within the college gymnasium the place the nonprofit will obtain donations together with checks.
Tim Herbel, founding father of Not Your Common Joe, mentioned it was an honor to be featured on Tigerpalooza.
“I admire the impression the Norman Excessive Faculty college students are making on the Norman group and they’re an exquisite group of children,” he mentioned.
Based on its founders, Not Your Common Joe goals to supply significant employment, enable alternatives for social engagement and persevering with schooling.
Hubbell mentioned 80% of individuals with disabilities had been underemployed or unemployed after highschool.
He mentioned cash raised at Norman Excessive Faculty throughout Tigerpalooza shall be used to rent particular schooling academics who shall be on website to assist people with disabilities.
“They aren’t solely there to work with their (disabled) pals, however they’ll additionally prepare workers to work higher with folks with mental, developmental, or bodily disabilities,” he mentioned.
Tigerpalooza’s vice chairman, scholar Maybry Harrsion, mentioned particular schooling academics shall be skilled in understanding the way to assist folks with disabilities study and educate folks with out disabilities the way to work with them.
Hopper cannot reveal how a lot cash has been raised thus far, however hopefully it is going to be sufficient to assist and impression nonprofits which can be hiring new workers.
Final 12 months Tigerpalooza raised over $50,000 for the Royal Household Children Camp.
In 2021 they raised $53,356.60 for Oklahoma Regional Meals Financial institution.
