GMHS Students Raise $29,000 for Tsunami Aid

Last Saturday students at George Mason High School proved that they know there is a world outside their halls and classrooms, that they are not the self-indulgent MTV-generation depicted by the media. The students, in fact, gave 29,000 reasons why they shouldn’t be written off as just kids, but that they, too, make a difference.

The Tsunami Relief Project, held this weekend at the high school featured a variety of fundraisers and events organized in fewer than three weeks by a collaboration of students and teachers, raising $29,000 for Save the Children to assist the 1.5 million children affected by the tsunami, which washed out the coastlines of Indonesia and other countries in South and Southeast Asia on Dec. 26.

The day opened with a white elephant sale and silent auction held in the auxiliary gym at George Mason High, with all the materials donated by students and local businesses. The white elephant sale attracted hundreds of shoppers, looking for bargains and a way to give back. Even before the clock struck 1 p.m. $5,000 had been raised, and that was before the silent auction was closed.

While scouring the tables for interesting items, people were invited to bid on a selection of pieces up for auction. There were a host of beautiful and expensive items, but the biggest ticket item came from the talents of a student. Ben Keens, freshman and celebrated gourmet chef, garnered $500 for the service of providing a full service meal and clean-up for a dinner party in a private home, preparing cuisine of the winner’s choice.

Other high priced items included a week long stay in a luxury condominium in the New Orleans French Quarter that went for $400, a refinished traveling trunk for $260, courtside tickets to a game between the Washington Wizards and the Houston Rockets for $230, and a couple of gift baskets prepared by students at Thomas Jefferson Elementary that sold for $210 each.

The Mustang Cafe was also open, with students selling food and beverages to raise additional money.

In the afternoon, in the GMHS auditorium, high school rock groups got together to take part in a Battle of the Bands competition. Groups from George Mason and surrounding high schools competed for votes and donations from the audience, which went to charity. U.S. Rep. Jim Moran arrived in time to take in a portion of the amplified performances of art and altruism.

The evening began with an upscale reception in the Mustang Cafe, specially decorated by students. The food was donated by local restaurants and served by students carrying serving trays and dressed to the nines. Along with being served dinner, guests were given a presentation by Pat Daly, a representative from Save the Children and mother to two Mason graduates, Brian and Marie Stoner.

A variety show followed, featuring dances, musical performances and dramatic scenes. Tickets were $30 for adults and $15 for students. Among the performers were students from the Universal Dance Academy, whose headmaster, Dr. George Thoms, is a former principal of George Mason High School. Particularly compelling was the performance of a traditional dance native to one of the areas devastated by the tsunami.

All the money raised was donated to Save the Children foundation. The group has worked to help children in the Asian countries affected by the tsunami rebuild their lives. While they are confronting the immediate need of reuniting families, protecting those who have lost their parents, and stemming disease, there is also a focus on making sure that the affected children retain something of their past lives. The group has worked to reopen schools closed by the disaster and provide venues for children to play, draw, and take part in other activities. While the disaster will have forever changed the lives of many of these children, it is hoped that the assistance like that provided by George Mason High School students last weekend will allow them to transcend the disaster and create a bright future from the wreckage.