The Oak Forest High school community has raised over $2,000 to help support longtime educator and Speech coach Ms. Curlee, following her recent cancer diagnosis. This support from students reveals a strong sense of community within the school.
Curlee has been part of Oak Forest High School for 24 years, and she is widely recognized for her dedication to students and for her role as one of the coaches of the speech team. Throughout her career, she has encouraged students to develop confidence and find their voices and purpose.
For my own part, I’d like to say that throughout the speech season, Ms. Curlee was more than a coach to me—she was someone who believed in me even when I doubted myself but never lost hope from her words. That’s something that I’ll carry with me long after high school.
Three organizations—Choir, DECA, and Key Club—have each started a fundraising initiative to support Curlee and her family.
The Choir program has held bake sales during fall, holiday, and quasi-spring school concerts. Mr. Pazik said, “[Ms. Curlee is a] big supporter of fine arts, always going on trips with us, subs for choir, always has been supportive of my students, and when I found out she had cancer I wanted to do something about it and hosted baked sales.”
Oak Forest’s Key Club, with Mr. Andruch as its sponsor, started the annual “Bengal in Need” fundraiser (Pennies for Patients). Members of Key Club voted to focus the fundraiser on Ms. Curlee as this year’s recipient. The classes that raised the most money for Key Club’s initiative were Ms. Genardo’s and Mr. Daluga’s. Of course, every class was working together to support her as a beloved member of the school.
DECA contributed to setting up a T-shirt fundraiser in Curlee’s honor. The purpose of the fundraiser was for students to show appreciation and solidarity. “Every shirt represents not just support, but appreciation, love, and unity,” DECA stated.
Choir will hold its benefit concert, “Good Vibrations,” in the main gym on Friday, May 15, at 7 pm. It will support cancer awareness and Ms. Curlee’s journey. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
