By: Eleni King Martin

In the last two weeks of school, each year the National Honors Society (NHS) chapter at McCaskey High School holds an outdoor fundraiser, similar to a field day. For the past two years, the fundraiser has supported ALS research in honor of Brother Albrecht and the legacy he has left at our school. This fundraiser contains a multitude of outdoor games and activities, as well as food and socialization. For students and staff alike, the ALS fundraiser is a fantastic way to strengthen the McCaskey community, and support a meaningful cause that is deeply rooted within the McCaskey community. 

McCaskey High School has a history of ALS involvement and support. Our very own Brother Frank Albrecht, a former member of the guidance and support staff (known for his peer mediating program), passed away due to his progression of ALS. He was beloved by both the students at McCaskey, his fellow staff members, and the community as a whole. He left an impact on each and every one of us involved at McCaskey. 

As of right now, there is no cure for ALS. For more information, ALS is a terminal illness caused by the weakening of the nervous system in the brain and spinal cord, which eventually affects the individual’s ability to eat, move, and even breathe. The exact cause of ALS is unknown, however it is most often inherited from a parent who has either had ALS, or is a carrier of the gene which can cause ALS. 

One of Brother Albrecht’s two daughters, Dr. Yentil Soto Albrecht, is working to find a cure for ALS. Soto Albrecht recently received her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and has been specializing in the field of ALS and degenerative disease since her graduation. Since her father passed away due to ALS, Dr. Soto Albrecht is almost guaranteed to contract the very same disease. This fact is what drove her to research ALS and attempt to develop more treatments. 

This drove the McCaskey community to ask: How can we support this cause? In the words of Mr. Deardorff, the NHS advisor and a close friend of Brother Albrecht, “It’s our turn to honor Brother Frank’s legacy by coming together to fund the research to end this disease.” And thus, the NHS ALS fundraiser was born. 

The event was originally a simple field day, as many schools have. However, once Brother Albrecht was diagnosed, the NHS pillar of service came into play. One of the four pillars of NHS is service, meaning the members must work at least 20 hours of community service before they graduate and contribute to their community in a meaningful way. Service came in many forms, most notably the direct support of Brother Albrecht and his family, and the ALS fundraisers hosted by the McCaskey NHS chapter. For the McCaskey NHS, this service is seen through the ALS fundraiser and supporting ALS research.

Within the fundraiser, McCaskey students are able to play games, create tie-dyed clothing, purchase food, get their faces painted, and much more! Each of these activities are funded by event tickets, each of which cost one dollar. Every single dollar raised is donated to Dr. Soto Albrecht’s research. This year alone, McCaskey NHS will be donating nearly 10,000 dollars to Soto Albrecht’s research, which could be monumental for her discoveries. 

The McCaskey NHS ALS fundraiser has the potential to make massive changes in the world of ALS. With the continued support of the students and the community, our school could make vast impacts in the lives of those affected by ALS, Dr. Soto Albrecht included.

Additionally, though the topic of ALS is not something to take lightly, the McCaskey NHS is able to bring the school and the community together through these fundraisers. Anna Le Duc, a junior at McCaskey and a member of the McCaskey NHS, says, “I think the fundraiser is not only a good way to contribute to a meaningful cause, but a way to get students engaged and ready to end the year on a good note.” 

The McCaskey NHS ALS fundraiser not only educates students on serious and extreme topics that affects individuals, but also brings these students closer as a community. These events are what differentiate a school from a family. Ultimately, through each face painted and each ticket bought, the McCaskey community is remembering the legacy of Brother Frank Albrecht and his impact on each of our lives.