A team of three Trinity Hall students earned first runner-up for the Student Visionaries of the Year award for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Juniors Isabelle Bournebush and Tori Hoffman and sophomore Cornelia Sweeney raised $89,812 in seven weeks this winter. In March, Isabelle, Tori and Cornelia were honored alongside other high school students at the LLS North Jersey Student Visionaries of the Year Grand Finale Celebration.
Isabelle, Tori and Cornelia were drawn to participate in the program this year to pay tribute to their loved ones who have been diagnosed or passed away from lymphoma or leukemia. They also were inspired by the Trinity Hall students who have found success in the LLS program in years past. Their goal was to raise as much money as possible and spread awareness about the organization and its work while working together as a team to do so.
The group focused on fundraisers and company sponsorships to raise the majority of their money. Cornelia explained, “Before the actual fundraising began in January, months of prep work went into establishing and finding contacts for our network, creating a team of fundraising members, practicing our ‘elevator pitch,’ and researching companies to reach out to for sponsorships. During the fundraising period, we sent hundreds of emails out, ran an Instagram account for our team, pitched to companies for sponsorships and essentially kept LLS on our minds each day. Whenever we could, we would mention what we were doing to those around us. Getting the word out to people through calls, emails, and texts was essential to our success.”
They held “dine and donates” at restaurants like Bubbakoos and Jersey Freeze where a portion of the proceeds from people’s meals would go towards their campaign. They also held a dress-down day at Trinity Hall, where students and faculty wore red and donated money towards the cause. In the span of seven weeks, Isabelle, Tori and Cornelia diligently worked to make these fundraisers run smoothly, organize raffles and cookie sales, and spread awareness for LLS with each dollar bringing them closer and closer to their goal.
Isabelle recalls, “This experience taught me the importance of organization and utilizing the connections in your community. With all the different deadlines and tasks to be completed throughout the campaign, it was difficult at times to keep track of everything while also actively brainstorming further ideas and fundraisers. The program definitely developed my ability to collaborate with people I do not normally work with and juggle multiple tasks at once.”
After the fundraising campaign was complete, the group finished with a grand total of $89,812 to be donated to LLS and research towards blood cancers. Raising this impressive amount of money for the cause, the group was recognized as the first runner-up for the Student Visionaries of the Year award for LLS this year. After their accomplishments, they felt it was even more meaningful to remember their personal inspirations for starting this program.
Tori encourages other students to get involved with LLS or in other organizations within their communities. “I wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering getting involved with LLS to do it because for me personally, the Student Visionaries of the Year program was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this campaign. Even though this campaign has ended, I know I am definitely going to continue volunteering and dedicating my time to LLS. Even if it isn't with LLS, getting involved in your community is amazing because it can be so rewarding to know the lives you have touched!”