Local principal’s slog boosts scholarship fund
Richards High’s leader takes steps — literally — to round up $20,000 with help from others
“So much has been taken away from these young people and I wanted to give back to them.”
— Mike Jacobson, principal of Richards High School
Mike Jacobson, principal of Richards High School in Oak Lawn, started off the first day of 2021 on the right foot.
Then the left one, and so on for the next 24 hours.
It was a grueling trek on a treadmill set up in the lobby of the school’s Performing Arts Center, but it was well worth it for Jacobson.
Not only did he raise scholarship money for his students, he got to spend the timewith a group of students, parents and staff members who joined the effort for hourlong stints along theway.
Their New Year’s Day effort raised $20,000 for the school scholarship fund. Jacobson said the fund was already lagging because potential donors were giving to various other causes, and the pandemic had further depleted the money available for scholarships.
So he set up a fundraiser and then started walking at 9 a.m. Jan. 1, not stopping until the following morning.
“So much has been taken away from these young people and I wanted to give back to them,”
Jacobson said. “I bet a Richards family now more than ever is in need of a few dollars when their kids graduate high school.”
He said he hopes to keep the fundraising going strong in the future with several events yearly.
“Part of the problem we have now is it’s really not viewed as a community effort,” said Jacobson. “I’m trying to change the culture so people realize it is our responsibility to help students even on their way out of school.”
John Kawulia, a math teacher at the school, spread the word to teachers that they could show their support by joining the walk, hoping to fill 24 hourlong slots.
Within a day, the spots were filled.
“Many of our students have not been inside our school at all,” Kawulia said. “Our students have not been able to participate in the sports/clubs that they love, and
have missed out on so many different high school experiences.
“Supporting the student scholarship fund was the least we could do.”
The walk was also motivating.
“There was a lot of energy when we first started and everyone was excited,” said Cora Umecker, special education and math teacher. “What was cool about it was people from the community joined in with it too. I live in the community and to see on Facebook all the support they got was pretty cool.”
The community not only joined in on the treadmill jogging at the school, some participants ran virtually from home and others outside.
All that support made Jacobson’s job a little easier as he trekked roughly 50 miles.
“So many people came up to walk an hour and support me,” Jacobson said. “They made signs and brought food and energy drinks.
“Most importantly, they kept me company … which I needed.”
Donations for the walk were made beforehand online but they can still be made at https://www.chsd218.org/apps/pages/EducationFoundationDonation.