Turkey. Stuffing. Pumpkin Pie. Thanksgiving preparation is no simple task, especially in families less fortunate. Thankfully, Student Council is able to help local families in need.

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Photo by Rachel Knaack

The event on Nov. 25 gave Student Council members the opportunity to gather together - something they normally only do on full council days.

Every year, West Chicago Community High School’s Student Council holds a turkey change drive contest in a bracket format. Student Council members select 16 teachers or administrators from different grades and departments, and the selection process occurs in three rounds.

“We nominated 16 teachers, and we got a variety of teachers from different departments and freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior teachers, and we placed them in brackets in a Student Council meeting,” Candace Fikis, Student Council Sponsor and Gov/AP Macro teacher said.

Typically, Student Council members solicit money for certain teachers.

“By the end, the two teachers with the most amount of money raised have to wear Turkey costumes to school on Tuesday, and then all of the proceeds go to a charity of our choice,” senior Jessie Myers, co-President of Student Council, said.

This year, the charity Student Council chose is Adopt-a-Family. The donation directly helps West Chicago families with groceries, clothing, and any other necessities this holiday season.

“So how we pick a charity is we come up with a list about, I would say, three to four charities, and then, as a council, we choose and break down which charity you would like to pick that year, kind of taking in mind which charity you picked the previous year and what charity needs it the most this year they use,” co-President and senior Valeria Ballines said

As Student Council adviser Jen Culbertson explained, gift cards will be purchased for different families in the district.

“So when people see that it’s going back to the community, I think they’re more willing to donate. Also, we have the fantastic teachers that kids really like, respect, and want to see dressed up as a turkey,” Culbertson said.

In total, Student Council raised just shy of $400 for Adopt-A-Family.