Students giving back during STRUT Week
Student leaders at Newcastle High School are starting a new tradition this year in the creation of a philanthropy week to benefit a worthy cause. STRUT Week — Students, Teachers & Racers, United Together — will take place May 2-5 and the students want the public to know that several activities are planned.
The week is not only intended to benefit worthwhile community causes, but also to strengthen the bond between the school and the community, according to members of the NHS Student Council Leadership Class.
This year’s effort, the first of what is intended to be a long-standing tradition at NHS, will help to raise funds for earth science teacher Brian Kauk, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, has undergone many difficult procedures, and is unable to teach for the remainder of the school year.
“We want to show him his Racer Family stands with him in his fight against pancreatic cancer,” said Clare Bebout, sophomore at NHS and STRUT Week representative.
Bebout said Mr. Kauk had a successful Whipple surgery in January 2020 to remove cancerous tumors from the pancreas, and recently began chemotherapy.
“He is very positive and has maintained his strong faith even through these hard times,” she said. “He and his wife, Kim, of 37 years, are very thankful for all of the kind messages and support they have received.”
STRUT Week representative Maddie Brasel said, “Throughout high school, I have been very involved in Student Council and have always strived to make a difference. As a senior, I wanted to create something to leave a positive impact on our school and our community before graduation. After hours of brainstorming and lots of trial and error plans, Clare Bebout and I created STRUT Week. Clare has been an amazing help in the planning and execution process of this week.”
Bebout said she feels that STRUT Week is a fun way to inspire students and faculty to spread kindness through service, connection and philanthropy.
“My hope is that STRUT week will become a long-lasting tradition at Newcastle High School,” Bebout said. “I think that starting STRUT week this year and benefitting a member of our own Racer Family, such as Mr. Kauk, is a great way to kick-off this tradition. I cannot wait for STRUT Week and all of the great things that will come from it.”
Brasel said, “The reason I love the idea of this week so much is because not only do we as students get to have a fun week, but also we are giving back to the community. We hope that this opens up an opportunity for our students and our community to become more involved.”
She said Mr. Kauk has been an amazing addition to Newcastle High School and she and Clare were thrilled when they found out the money raised during the week could go to him and his family to help with medical bills.
“We have high hopes that this can be the start to a tradition for years to come, and we can’t wait to see this week come to life,” Brasel said.
Brasel said during the week there will be many activities for the students, including a community-service project day. The following are projects planned thus far:
• Wednesday, April 27: Impact Nutrition Day where Impact Nutrition will be hosting a give back day selling a tea to honor Mr. Kauk. For every Mr. Kauk tea sold, Impact Nutrition will donate $2.
• Monday, May 2 Luigi’s Night: Luigi’s will be hosting a give back night on Monday, May 2 where a receipt box will be set up in the restaurant. For every receipt left in the box, STRUT Week will receive a percentage of the profit.
• Food Trucks on Campus May 2: Area food trucks will set up on the campus at Newcastle High School for lunch. They’ll be donating a percentage of their profits made to STRUT Week.
• Tuesday, May 3 Hi-Res Nutrition Day & Bingo at The Barn: Hi-Res Nutrition will be hosting a give back day where for every shake or tea sold that day, Hi-Res will give a percentage of the profit to STRUT Week.
STRUT Week organizers will also be hosting a com munity Bingo Night at The Barn on Country Club from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday. Everyone is welcome! All funds raised at Bingo Night will go back to STRUT Week for Mr. Kauk.
• On Wednesday May 4, NHS students will be performing acts of service throughout the community including serving at Tri-City Hope Center, Newcastle Senior Citizens Center, and other locations.
For more information on STRUT Week or for businesses wanting to donate or help to raise funds, contact Bebout at clarebebout@gmail.com, Brasel at mbrasel04@gmail. com, or STRUT Week sponsor Hannah Davis at hdavis@ newcastle.k1.ok.us.