NBHS Presents $17,000 Check to Ride for Life
Over 200 students from North Babylon and two busloads of 6th and 7th graders from Washington Heights met at the North Babylon West Gym on May 19th to participate in a fundraising endeavor for Ride for Life, the local ALS chapter. These students, as well as other students and staff from the high school, held an assembly to welcome the Ride for Life PAL Mr. Chris Pendergast and accompany him on part of his journey from Montauk to Manhattan in a motorized wheelchair. Mr. Chris Pendergast, the founder of Ride for Life, accepted a $17,000 check presented to his organization by the high school.
Led by Dean of Discipline and teacher Ms. Barbara Brown, who was honored by Ride for Life as Humanitarian of the Year at their Kick-off celebration on March 16th at the Port Jefferson Country Club, the high school held a number of fundraisers throughout the year to make the $17,000 check possible. There was the annual "Hearts of Hope" Valentine’s fundraiser in memory of Mrs. Mary Murphy, a high school librarian who lost the battle to ALS but whose spirit and courage continues to inspire students and staff alike. There were also an ALS Teachers Happy Hour Fundraiser for staff, a pop corn sale, and the Ride for Life Walk itself with each participant raising a minimum of $25 and with many going way above and beyond, such as Matthew Scavone who donated $831, Joseph Dubanos* with $300, Emily Garren with $280, Greg Carrick with $230, and Cody Gardner with $222.
At the assembly to kick off the walk, it was inspiring to see so many 6th and 7th graders whom Ms. Jean Ellen Murphy, the daughter of Mary Murphy, had brought from Community Health Academy of Washington Heights. They presented Mr. Pendergast with a check for $5,250.
The walkers and others at the assembly were rapt with attention as Ms. Brown spoke about Mary again this year by saying, "Not a single student in this school knew or remembers Mary Murphy but you still honor her memory and you still hear her call to find a cure." Mr. Pendergast, who is a true hero to many North Babylon students because of his bravery and perseverance in the face of such a debilitating disease, told students very haltingly and quietly that when a cure is found, they can be very proud because they have been part of that effort.
*In our May/June edition of "Partners in Education," we mistakenly listed Joseph Dubanos as James. Please accept our apologies for this error.
