Two CMS sixth graders mobilize to aid fellow student

Finn Henderson and Spencer Stephenson with the many baked goods they assembled for a sale to help a fellow student. (contributed photo)

by Aimée N. Lanteigne

If you’re from Maine, you know that we are just one big small town. Everyone knows everyone, and if you don’t, it’s a safe bet that five minutes of conversation will lead to a name that you both recognize. As a teacher, I am blessed to work in a small rural community where neighbors help neighbors. China Middle School has less than 200 students in grades 5-8. The student to teacher ratio affords us many opportunities to get to know our students better and build strong bonds and relationships. It’s a wonderful little school community where people truly care about one another not just as learners and educators, but as human beings.

Sixth graders Finn Henderson and Spencer Stephenson witnessed a situation in which a classmate was in need of assistance shortly before Thanksgiving break.

This is perhaps best illustrated by two young men at our school who recently noticed a student who was struggling and set out to do whatever they could to help. Sixth graders Finn Henderson and Spencer Stephenson witnessed a situation in which a classmate was in need of assistance shortly before Thanksgiving break, but the pair didn’t know exactly what they could do to help or, more importantly, if anyone would help at all.

Later that week, Spencer texted Finn hoping he might be on board with helping him figure out a way to help their peer. When Spencer didn’t hear back right away, he thought Finn wasn’t interested and that he’d be doing this alone. Turns out, Finn simply hadn’t checked his phone in a couple of days, but the moment he did, he loved the idea and replied to Spencer that he was totally on board.

Finn and Spencer approached our administrators, Principal Lacey Studholme and Assistant Principal Rob Moody, about their idea. They weren’t exactly sure what to do or how to go about it, but they quickly brainstormed some ideas. One of them was to hold a 50/50 raffle at a home basketball game. Another thought was that they would
hold a bake sale at school. The pair put in about six to seven hours (you’re welcome, middle schoolers) to hash out logistics and prepare a presentation, then the two young men stayed after school one day in early December to present their idea to the CMS staff.

They were very nervous about how their idea would be received. “We weren’t sure what to do. Will it be a bug bust? Will the student and the student’s family be OK with this? What if the kids forget to bring money for the bake sale? What if the teachers don’t like the idea and it’s a failure?” Spencer later told me. He needn’t have worried.

The teachers immediately embraced their passion project to help a classmate in need and jumped in, all hands on deck. Staff donated baked goods, pretzels, plastic baggies, cups, hot cocoa, marshmallows, popcorn, and their time to help the boys in any way they could. They had a goal of $500. They weren’t sure how long it would take to reach that figure, or even if they could.

Announcements went out each morning for a week letting students know that the first of two holiday bake sales would take place on the second Friday in December so they could be prepared with cash on the day of the sale. When the big day finally arrived, Finn and Spencer took turns going from classroom to classroom during period two to call students down to buy their snacks. The response was overwhelming. They had so many hot cocoa orders they couldn’t keep up with business! They had to take orders and send kids back to class and then hand deliver their beverages when they were ready.

The boys were busy the entire period. It was an overwhelming success. In one hour they had not only reached their goal, they had exceeded it, garnering $578 to help their classmate in need. The boys were very pleasantly surprised to learn that word had gotten out about their fundraising efforts and some folks were even sending in cash donations! They got $30 from a fellow student, $20 from one of the boy’s grandmother, and another $100 donation from a parent’s co-workers.

The following Friday, the boys were at it again. More donations of pretzels and baked goods and cocoa came pouring in, and at the second bake sale, things went much smoother. The boys were prepared to go big or go home! This time they raised $350.

For two hours worth of work, the boys were closing in on double what they set out to do to help their classmate. That’s pretty special. They are not sure if they will continue the bake sales after Christmas break, but if they do, Finn says, they want to start an ongoing fund to help anyone at China Middle School in need, kids or adults.

The boys both said they were friends before this project, but actually seeing it through together has brought them closer. Finn and Spencer gave me some helpful tips for any student out there who has an idea or wants to help someone, but doesn’t know how to get started. “Go home and talk to your parents, “ Spencer said. “Go to the principal or a teacher you can trust.” That will certainly set the wheels in motion. But perhaps Finn nailed it on the head when he advised, “Talk to a friend with a really big voice. They will help you spread the word and get things going.”

Today, I’m going to be that friend with a really big voice. Kudos to you, Spencer and Finn, for stepping up to help a classmate in need. Most kids, maybe even most adults, would see the problem and feel badly, but do nothing about it. You two had the gumption to speak up, to put in the work, get your hands dirty, and lend a hand when it was needed most. Rest assured, you have been an example and a bright light to all those who watched you put this together. You have spread hope and cheer at a time when our days are their bleakest and darkest of the year. Thank you for lighting the path and teaching us how to do good in this world. Afterall, isn’t that what the Christmas season is really all about?