Karli Wallace
Executive Theme Editor
Emilee Ray
Theme Editor/Photographer
Charlotte Samuels
Illustrator
ASB hosts UCLA Blood Drive for students to donate blood
Costa’s Associated Student Body hosted its triannual blood drive on Feb. 5 with the University of California, Los Angeles in the cafeteria for students and staff to donate blood to local patients in need.
According to ASB Commissioner of Community Relations and senior Will Bond, the preparation for the blood drive started in early August, prior to the start of the 2018 school year.
“My job is one of the most important and one of the most community involved jobs on ASB, but it’s also one of the best,” Bond said. “We got a wide range of students and teachers to donate this year. Some were giving blood for the first time, and honestly, that’s what the blood drive is all about.”
All 56 members of ASB were asked to get six people to sign up, which guaranteed that over 250 students donated blood. According to Bond, one pint of blood may save approximately three lives; in total, these donations have the potiental to save nearly 800 lives.
“The organization of the event was something that we can definitely improve on in the future,” Bond said. “Prior to the blood drive, we had to set up in the cafeteria because of the construction happening in Fisher Gym. We had less space and not enough beds, which was frustrating. We had to work with what we had, but at the end of the day, I would consider this blood drive to be fairly successful. It’s almost hard to believe that we can save so many lives with just a little bit of blood.”
Student Q&A
Finn Condren- ASB Commuity Relations and Junior
Q:How do you think donating blood reflects the character of students at Mira Costa? How was the turn out at the most recent blood drive?
A: Seeing Costa students give back to others despite the fact that they have to miss class, sacrifice their learning, and possibly miss crucial information is inspiring. So many people sign up for the blood drive and I think that shows how caring and generous Costa students are. We were suprised to see that there were more people at this blood drive than we anticipated.
H.E.A.R.T Club, Link Crew promote kindness around campus
Mira Costa’s Helping Educate Acts of Respect (H.E.A.R.T.) Club and Link Crew challenged students to participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week that started Monday and ended today.
Each day of the week was devoted to a different act of kindness. Starting on Monday, students wrote letters to someone that they love. On Tuesday, they wrote letters to a children’s hospital, military member, nursing home, or a homeless person.
“I think that it is amazing that people are participating in Kindness Week,” Link Crew leader and senior Liam Barberi said. “Even if only one person’s day is made, it would still be worth all the work we put into it.”
Throughout the week, students continued to show kindness. On Wednesday, Link Crew and H.E.A.R.T club challenged students to send a positive text message or social media post. Students dressed up in Valentines Day- themed clothing and brought treats to share with their friends yesterday who they appreciate. Today, students are dressed up in comfortable clothes and are writing letters to staff members.
“The goal of Random Acts of Kindness week is to get more people on the campus aware of the power of their actions, especially when they are positive towards their peers and other people,” H.E.A.R.T club co-president club and senior Jack Gebele said.
Student Q&A
Liam Barberi- Link Crew Leader and senior
Q: Why do you think that it is important for student organizations like Link Crew and H.E.A.R.T club to collaborate to promote kindness on campus?
A: It is extremely important for students to be surrounded by kindness and positivity, especially on campus. By promoting Random Acts of Kindness Week, we are able to make sure that people feel loved and cared for. Link Crew wants everyone to feel included and this week makes it so students can come together and share their love to their friends and family, but also people that they don’t know.
Drama Department donates funds from AIDS benefit show
The Mira Costa Drama and Tech Department hosted its annual AIDS benefit show in order to support Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS on Feb. 5 in the small theatre.
The benefit show was entirely student run and they raised a total sum of over $500. The drama department dressed in red and black outfits and costumes to represent the cause and advocacy. Drama students performed talents such as singing, acting and dancing.
“It’s important for our students to learn how to use their talents not just for personal gain but also to give back,” Drama Executive Director Jonathan Westerberg said. “It’s also a nice connection for our students to have a performance in front of a real audience, but in a way that is also charitable.”
Broadway Cares/ Equity Fight AIDS is a nonprofit organization in New York City and is the theater community’s response to the AIDS epidemic. Costa’s Drama Department has had donation connections to the nonprofit for over four years and plans to continue to support them, Drama student and junior Tucker St. Ivany said.
“AIDS is a health issue that has impacted the theatre community, which I think is always something that Drama students keep in mind during the benefit,” St. Ivany said. “And in that case, it gives us a sense of duty. Not only are we raising money for people who have AIDS, but we’re raising money for a problem that could affect us in the future.”
Student Q&A
Sophi Boylan – Drama Club President and senior
Q: How does Drama’s connection to Broadway Cares show how Costa students contribute to supporting causes that they’re passionate about?
A: Broadway Cares has a close relation to the Thespian Society; many Costa students are thespians and believe this is a great way to give back and help our community, especially since theatre is an art we’re all passionate about. It is important that we support professional actors and actresses if some of us may be a part of that lifestyle later on in life.
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