At a time when budgets are shrinking, the Alumni Association in the past year has donated over $1,500 for the benefit of students. Along with donating money, the association is also looking to collect appliances for the home economics class and instruments for the music classes. For Stewart Jacoby, history teacher and secretary of the association, it is a way to connect students, faculty, and alumni.
“There is a growing, developing, and strengthening community of people who care about Stagg faculty and students,” he said.
The association in its first year secured funds to help cover part of the cost of Advanced Placement tests, brought back the pep band, and formed a tailgate party before the first football game.
In this school year the association has spent money for many purposes. The group spent $135 to allow students to have lunch with visiting speaker Sephira Shuttlesworth. It also gave $475 to purchase an amplifier for the theater to replace the broken one. Another $500 was donated to both an Advanced Placement Biology field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the yearbook class to attend a convention in San Francisco.
“I think it’s really great that the alumni cares about AP students enough to expand their knowledge,” senior Carol Amaya said. “I’m used to not being able to do a lot of things apart from the curriculum because of budget cuts.”
The association’s goal is not only to give money to the school, but also to inspire students.
“I feel that ever since we played at the crab and shrimp feed, the alumni and people in the community have seen our potential and want us to do well,” junior Ryan McLaughlin said.
The money that has been distributed comes from alumni donations and events like the steak and shrimp dinner on April 27, an event co-sponsored by the Athletic Boosters.
Most of the time it’s just reaching out to the group for the right reasons.
“Last year approaching the AP exams, we appealed to the alumni for funds and received $1500 in a week,” Jacoby said.
Although the association is still in the beginning stages, it is looking to make a large impact on the school community. Along with making a commitment to have next year’s homecoming parade on the Miracle Mile and a tailgate party a the first home football game the group hopes to give out more than $5,000 next year. Also, ideas such as getting tutors, volunteers for the first day of school, and a new seating area in the glade are being discussed.
