The senior class at the high school collected more than $800 in donations this past Thanksgiving to provide 22 local families in need with gift cards to supermarkets, a welcome addition to the baskets prepared through the high school’s Thanksgiving food drive. The students’ conscientious efforts did not end with Thanksgiving, however. Funds were raised through a raffle donated by the seniors’ class adviser as well as via a friendly competition among the different senior classes. The charitable work by the Class of 2014 (four members are pictured at right) enabled these families to receive additional food gift cards for the winter holidays.

Senior Jeremy Friend went above and beyond in collecting numerous donations from students, staff and community members. “We are extremely proud of this young man’s dedication and effort, and of the hard work by all of the students who helped,” said school social worker Barbara Charity. “Once again, the students at Deer Park High School exhibited their concern for their community and for families in need.”