Mission Drive Day

Jesuit High School's annual five-week Mission Drive culminated Friday (April 21) on a spirited Mission Drive Day, as the campus came alive with a music concert followed by games, activities, food, and various competitions. 

It was all part of the school-wide fundraising effort for the beneficiaries of Mission Drive 2017, the children of Belle Glade and their local parish, St. Philip Benizi. When all monies had been collected, Jesuit students had raised $10,423!

Belle Glade, an impoverished migrant community on the southern edge of Lake Okeechobee, for years has been visited several times annually by the Jesuit service club Agmen Christi. Andy Wood '92, Jesuit's Director of Community Service, established a Mission Drive 2017 goal of $300 raised per homeroom for the children of Belle Glade.

Weekly homeroom collections were supplemented by Mission Drive Day funds generated via small fees associated with participation in video game competitions, ultimate frisbee, bocce, basketball, and much more, as well as food sales. Math teacher April Bombka generated $1,000 in food sales during the drive.

The Mission Drive dates back to the 1930s at Jesuit, and Mission Drive Day kicked off Friday morning, as it always does, with a fabulous music concert led by music director Nina Wegmann (pictured on the homepage). It featured nine selections, including several from popular movie scores such as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "The Lion King." Jesuit's Spring Music Concert on April 29 will feature these songs and more.

The day concluded with a student-faculty basketball game. Tied after regulation and overtime, a 3-point contest ultimately determined the outcome. Steve Matesich '91, Jesuit's Admissions Director, swished the winning attempt to give the faculty the victory.

View below a photo slideshow from Mission Drive Day.