Local school takes part in Red Nose Day
The inaugural Red Nose Day campaign in the U.S. featured many celebrities helping raise money for children living in poverty.
Students at University School’s Lower School in Davie also took part, raising more than $1,000. Fifth-grader Rita Shuster, community service coordinator, and friend Ryan Bermingham helped spearhead the campaign.
“I love helping the community,” Rita said. “When I first saw them, I thought the noses were toys, but then I liked the idea it drew awareness to helping people in poverty. The nose gets a kid’s attention. … I think it makes me and other kids realize others may not have what we have.” Ryan agreed. “Everyone thought the red noses were really cool. The prekindergartners loved them,” he said.
The young volunteers went into classrooms to collect donations and distribute the noses. Participants were encouraged to wear red. Many accentuated their look with headbands, sunglasses and pigtails.
Walgreens provided 600 of the noses, which wasn’t enough. Fourth-graders got resourceful by blowing up balloons to put on their noses. Guidance counselor David Womack also helped by making a giant wooden nose, which was painted red.
“The best thing about it is watching them take responsibility and seeing the creativity from them working together,” Womack said.
Adam Carswell, Lower School director, was proud of the students’ efforts.
“The fifth-graders got an experience in having an idea and generating it from nothing and then growing it into a school-wide event. That is success in my eyes,” he said. “They did a fantastic job. They brought their energy and excitement to the student government and enlisted their help to move this idea they had through to what it became, which was red nose pandemonium everywhere.”
A charity special marking the nationwide celebration aired on NBC. For more information, visit Rednoseday.com.
Scott Fishman can be reached at smfishman@tribune.com.