South High helps one of its own

It was an evening of love for Chris Schroeder, a Valley Stream South High School junior who is battling cancer, at a school-wide benefit on Dec. 2.

Hundreds of students and staff members filled the gym to raise funds for the student, who has leukemia, according to Principal Maureen Henry. They gave him a hearty happy birthday, accompanied by the song and a cake, of course. Schroeder turned 17 two days later. The evening was not just about the business of fundraising, but about celebrating and expressing well wishes for a fellow member of the South High family.

“It was really one of the most memorable nights I had here,” said Elizabeth Pichichero, an orchestra teacher at South.

Schroeder has been a senior high orchestra student for the last five years, Pichichero said, under her guidance. He is very into music, she added. “He came to class with headphones, so we wanted to do something with music,” she said, referring to the Schroeder show, as the fundraiser event was affectionately dubbed by the school community.

That night was especially touching and emotional. Schroeder had just been released from the hospital before the event, according to Henry. In addition to the orchestra, he is also a member of the bowling and soccer teams.

There were numerous music performances to celebrate Schroeder and his life’s passions in front of a 400-member audience, Henry said. Student Amanda Einemann, along with teacher Kyle Hayden, sang “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” by Martina McBride. The song details a woman’s battle with cancer, and how her husband pledged that he will love her despite her diagnosis.

In addition, South’s kickline, step squad and chamber orchestra dazzled attendees with entertainment. The show’s finale featured a performance by The Ready Henchman, a Valley Stream band including South music teacher Dan Creegan. They covered songs by the band Sublime, one of Schroeder’s favorites, Pichichero said.

Students baked and sold cupcakes, cookies and brownies with the help of teacher Ellen Daniels, and pizza was donated for students, thanks to teacher Dana Dodson.

Baxter’s Sport Shop in Valley Stream also made event t-shirts, and an iPod was raffled off at the show. The generosity did not stop there, as Pichichero, Henry, Dodson and administrator Michelle Marcus got a bowling ball for Chris.

The event raised a little more than $3,000 — a combined effort between South’s teachers, students and staff members, Pichichero explained.

Henry called it a “fabulous” event to support Schroeder. But that will not be the only event, as there are plans to hold a bowl-a-thon for him next month.