Nichols School Hosts Walk-a-Thon in Honor of Late Teacher

From D. 65:

The fifth annual Nichols walk-a-thon will be held Friday, June 3 starting at Nichols Middle School. Students are seeking to raise at least $20,000, which will go to support the American Heart Association and a scholarship fund established in honor of the late Sandy McDermott, who was a math teacher at the school until her death in 2008.

The first walk –a –thon was held in the spring of 2007. It began as a Nichols Student Council event that partnered students, staff, parents and the community. The purpose was to engage the entire school community in a philanthropic event that would raise money for a worthy cause. This event was primarily student directed under the guidance of the faculty sponsors of the student council. The first year the students choose to walk for the American Cancer Society raising over $11,000.

The second year of the walk- a- thon the Nichols student council re-dedicated the event to honor Sandy McDermott, a beloved Nichols teacher who died suddenly of a heart attack at school in February, 2008. The name was changed to “Nichols has Heart – A Walk-a-thon in Memory of Sandy McDermott.”

For 23 years students at Nichols Middle School had the opportunity to experience the dynamic teaching excellence of Sandy McDermott. Ms. McDermott was an inspirational and tenacious math teacher who always brought out the best in students. Ms. McDermott was full or life and energy, and she was able to connect with students in a very special way.

Nichols students raised over $20,000 for the Walk-a-thon in 2008. Half of the proceeds were dedicated to a scholarship fund established by the student council and the school staff in Sandy McDermott’s name. Beginning in 2009 the Sandy McDermott Scholarship Committee awarded two $1000.00 scholarships to Evanston Township High School seniors who also attended Nichols Middle School. The remainder of the proceeds were dispersed to the American Heart Association and the Nichols PTA.

In both 2009 and 2010 the students again raised $20,000, and added more events to the annual “Nichols Has Heart Walk A Thon,” including a Nichols community picnic, a school carnival, and the addition of Park School as a partner. As the Nichols Student Council prepares for this year’s event, it is sure to be the best ever.

The “Nichols Has Heart Walk-a-thon” has evolved into a wonderful event celebrating the wonderful memories of a great teacher and providing a great way for students to learn about giving back to their community.