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05/08/2018 01:59 PMOn May 2, some very big moments were in store for the fourth generation of North Branford High School (NBHS) students who stepped up to answer the challenge of the "Big Give."
To raise funds for charitable causes, students in 17 teams set up drives and fundraising efforts in the community, worked with local businesses and organizations, and found many other creative ways to turn a ceremonial one dollar bill, received on February 1, into thousands of dollars to give to charities.
On May 2, with family, community and school supporters there to cheer them on, 49 students gathered for the "Big Give Big Reveal" in the NBHS cafeteria. They received honorary medals as tallies were toted up among the teams. To a huge round of applause, they celebrated surpassing their $10,000 fundraising goal by revealing their charitable efforts had generated a total of $11,083.
Since the program was founded eight years ago at NBHS, students have now generated over $65,000 for charity, said 2018 Big Give co-advisors Megan Lee and Jessica Cavallaro. As Cavallaro noted, this year's effort was different from past years as all of the students involved committed to their efforts as indivuals and not as part of an formal club or student organization.
Lee and Cavallaro topped off the May 2 celebration by announcing a new award named for Stephanie Byrd, the former NBHS teacher and Student Council advisor who founded the Big Give as a Student Council-led effort at the school in 2010.
"She has created a movement that has not only inspired NBHS students, but the North Branford community," said Lee.
Byrd, who attended the May 2 celebration, was also honored by the members of Team Hopeful, who raised $526.50 for Hope After Loss, a New Haven non-profit supporting families experiencing pregnancy or infant loss. Byrd volunteers with the organization and serves as a member of its Board of Directors.
The Stephanie L. Byrd Award was established to recognize a Big Give student leader. The inaugural winner, junior Patrick Miconi, and his team, Floyd's Runners, are all athletes inspired by their former coach, Floyd Parness, who passed away in 2017, noted Lee. With Miconi spurring their efforts forward, the five-member team crossed the Big Give finish line as the top fundraisers, driving in $1,626.05 for the Floyd Parness Scholarship Fund. In addition to Miconi, team members included Aaron Beisaw, Freddie Little, Mackenzie Glenn and Noah Taylor.
"We were impressed by their dedication and drive, and felt that they served as an inspiration for not only their classmates, but for us, as well. Patrick helped to lead their team to be the top fundraising team, and they did it all to honor the life of their former coach who served as an inspiration to them," said Lee.
Additional charitable causes supported by Big Give teams this year include St. Baldrick's Foundation; Special Olympics: Connecticut; North Branford Public Libraries; Connecticut Burn Foundation; The Food Pantry of North Branford; Branford Compassion Club; American Legion Post #83; The March of Dimes; The Burns Family; Matt's Mission Fund; Autism Speaks; The Felton Family; The Scanlon Family; The Roen Family and The Shane Murphy Memorial BHS Hockey Scholarship Fund.
"The Big Give would not be possible without the support of the North Branford community," said Lee. "As a former NBHS student, I know just how generous and supportive this town can be. Local businesses opened their doors to student fundraisers, parents worked with their children to lead and teach and inspire, and residents donated at bake sales, and car washes, and out of the goodness of their hearts."
Students participating in the 2018 NBHS Big Give were: Mairead Aiken, Allie Augur, Aaron Beisaw, Kayla Bonaldo, Nick Bonaldo, Karlee Bureau, Chris Callender, Christopher Candelora. Alvin Chan, Shawn D'Aversa , Samantha DeAngelo, , Sierra DePalma, Alyssa Diaz, Cameron Fisco, Logan Frandsen, Zelda Galdenzi, Gabby Gibilisco, Mackenzie Glenn, Makayla Harrison, Kelli Jacobson, Marlena Karsmarski, Freddie Little, Caitlin May, Michael Madoule, Carlie McIntyre, Ian McLay Patrick Miconi, Emmy Norton, Francesca Palma, Lucia Pantani, Brianna Raccio, Angelina Ramada, Danielle Ramada, Amy Raucci, Hanna Rispoli, Ethan Sabetta, Rebecca Sabetta, Cole Sauro, Ashley Slubowski, Ava Smola, Zach Smola, Carly Sorrentino, Ryan Stephens, Noah Taylor, Amanda Teodoro, Mary-Kate Torgerson, Alliyah Tropiano, Alyssa Waligroski and Kaylee Velez.