Ninth Graders Participate in the Midnight Run
While most of us were warmly snuggled in our beds on the night of Friday, January 29, the RCS ninth graders and their chaperones were traveling to Manhattan to participate in the annual Midnight Run.
There was much work to be done before they even hit the road - making sandwiches and putting together sack suppers including hot soup and coffee, packaging up personal care items, sizing and grouping clothing, and packing up blankets.
For over ten years, RCS ninth graders have participated in the Midnight Run. This year, a group of ninth graders--Blair Clayton, Julia Gastone, Gabe Grimeh, Jack Kovensky, and Eric Ochsner--took on the challenge of organizing the Midnight Run, some of them as part of their ninth grade Portfolio. The Portfolio program is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore areas of interest. As leaders, the group hosted a jeans day/bake sale to raise funds to purchase the supplies needed for the Run. In addition to helping with baked goods, parents of the ninth graders volunteered to cook soup, make hard-boiled eggs, and bake meatloaf (a sandwich staple favored by many of the homeless). Members of the RCS Community also donated toiletries and clothing.
Two weeks prior to the Run, Dale Williams shared his unique perspective on homelessness in New York City with our ninth graders. Now Executive Director of Midnight Run, Mr. Williams spent nearly three years on the streets in the late 1980s. A product of a middle class family with a college education, Mr. Williams spoke about not knowing the meaning of being cold, dirty, hungry, and lonely until he faced that stark reality of homelessness. Members of the ninth grade asked a myriad of questions as they listened to his story. During his talk with the group, Mr. Williams emphasized that, while giving out food, toiletries, and clothing is important, his assessment of a “successful” run is when each participant has a meaningful conversation with someone they meet on the streets.
On the 29th, after all Run materials were loaded into the vans, Vic Fried, our Midnight Run leader of many years, talked with the group about the logistics involved in a Run “stop.” After the ninth graders decided the jobs they would take on during the Run--handing out meals, serving soup, passing out jackets--the students piled into three vans and headed out to the first stop. Over the course of the next three hours, they encountered a host of interesting characters, all appreciative of the donations, and most willing to chat with the kids.
Conversations between the ninth graders and the men and women they met ran the gamut from sporting events to politics, music, and more. As the night progressed, the ninth graders came to appreciate the “homeless” as people with names and faces, people with more similarities to us than differences, and people who were experiencing rocky points in their lives.
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For over ten years, RCS ninth graders have participated in the Midnight Run. This year, a group of ninth graders--Blair Clayton, Julia Gastone, Gabe Grimeh, Jack Kovensky, and Eric Ochsner--took on the challenge of organizing the Midnight Run, some of them as part of their ninth grade Portfolio. The Portfolio program is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore areas of interest. As leaders, the group hosted a jeans day/bake sale to raise funds to purchase the supplies needed for the Run. In addition to helping with baked goods, parents of the ninth graders volunteered to cook soup, make hard-boiled eggs, and bake meatloaf (a sandwich staple favored by many of the homeless). Members of the RCS Community also donated toiletries and clothing.
Two weeks prior to the Run, Dale Williams shared his unique perspective on homelessness in New York City with our ninth graders. Now Executive Director of Midnight Run, Mr. Williams spent nearly three years on the streets in the late 1980s. A product of a middle class family with a college education, Mr. Williams spoke about not knowing the meaning of being cold, dirty, hungry, and lonely until he faced that stark reality of homelessness. Members of the ninth grade asked a myriad of questions as they listened to his story. During his talk with the group, Mr. Williams emphasized that, while giving out food, toiletries, and clothing is important, his assessment of a “successful” run is when each participant has a meaningful conversation with someone they meet on the streets.
On the 29th, after all Run materials were loaded into the vans, Vic Fried, our Midnight Run leader of many years, talked with the group about the logistics involved in a Run “stop.” After the ninth graders decided the jobs they would take on during the Run--handing out meals, serving soup, passing out jackets--the students piled into three vans and headed out to the first stop. Over the course of the next three hours, they encountered a host of interesting characters, all appreciative of the donations, and most willing to chat with the kids.
Conversations between the ninth graders and the men and women they met ran the gamut from sporting events to politics, music, and more. As the night progressed, the ninth graders came to appreciate the “homeless” as people with names and faces, people with more similarities to us than differences, and people who were experiencing rocky points in their lives.
Thanks to all who helped provide resources for the Run, and special thanks to the Run chaperones: Vic Fried, Mike Kober, Missy Swan, Bill Barrett, and Chris Perry.
Rippowam Cisqua School
439 Cantitoe Street
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250
439 Cantitoe Street
Bedford, NY 10506
phone: (914) 244-1250
Rippowam Cisqua School is a PreK-Grade 9 independent day school in Westchester County, New York. RCS offers challenging academics built on innovation, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, wellness, leadership, service learning, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.
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