Student Spotlight: Meet Casey!

Every SMAC chapter has its spark -- the student whose passion, leadership, and creativity inspire others to get involved and make a difference. Today, we’re proud to spotlight Casey B., a senior at Somerville High School in Somerville, NJ, whose leadership has helped her chapter raise awareness, funds, and hope in the fight against cancer.

Tell us about your involvement in your school's SMAC chapter...

I joined my high school’s SMAC club during my freshman year of high school and this will be my fourth year involved in the club. Our club is led by an executive board of student leaders, and I joined this board beginning at the end of my Sophomore year. I value this position because it allows me to have a large role in leading our monthly club meetings, also giving me a platform to practice my public speaking skills. As a board member I am also able to contribute ideas for possible events and activities I feel the club should be a part of.

How has joining SMAC contributed to your high school experience? 

Joining SMAC has ultimately welcomed me into a community of kind and driven students as well as teachers. Being in the club has offered me amazing opportunities to get involved within my school and local community in a way that benefits others. It has also introduced me to positions of authority and responsibility, including being on the executive board and beginning a summer resource development internship. I truly value the goal of SMAC, in raising funds and awareness for the fight against cancer, and am so fortunate to have joined this movement throughout my high school years.

What was your favorite SMAC fundraiser?

My favorite activity has to be the volleyball tournament that my SMAC club hosts every school year to raise money for the Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation. The tournament is run solely by our club and it consists of a student versus teacher competition. All of the money raised by the event is donated directly to funding research for pediatric brain cancer. The night is overall very fun, as teams get matching shirts and create formations and game plans for the tournament. Students from all grades gather around to watch their friends compete and it is definitely an event that is beloved by the entire administration. It provides a way for students to have a good time while also contributing to an amazing cause.

What ideas do you plan to bring to SMAC in the future? 

During my senior year of high school, I plan to contribute by proposing ideas that will raise more money for our school’s club. This money can then be donated to the Meghan Rose Bradley Foundation to continue the fight against pediatric brain cancer. Some ideas I have for fundraising include partnering with local restaurants, including Chipotle and Cava, so that our club receives a percentage of funding raised from specific dates of the year. This is a way for students, parents, and others from outside of the school community to contribute to SMAC. Another idea I have for the upcoming year is to plan a pickleball tournament, where students can create teams and play against each other in front of spectators. The money raised from the pickle ball tournament would be donated directly to SMAC efforts, and the current popularity surrounding the sport will definitely contribute to student involvement.

Students like Casey drive our movement forward!

Want to support the hard work of SHS SMAC? Get in touch: shs@supportsmac.org