In keeping with a yearly theme "The Little Way", inspired by St. Therese of Lisieux, some students in Mrs. Michie's class at San Miguel Middle School in Tulsa challenged the student body to collect coins for Haiti after the recent earthquake.
Two boys in the 6th grade, Pedro Martinez and Edgar Montoya, began discussing at the lunch table one day shortly after the disaster what they could do to help. Pedro shared how his family had already sent a box of supplies to Haiti and that spurred Edgar to brainstorm ideas and inquire what their whole school could do to help with the relief efforts for the people in Haiti.
During a discussion in religion class on how to practice the "Little Way" in daily life at the beginning of the school year, Pedro shared how he wanted to "help each other" and now he recognized an opportunity to do just that. After seeing the images on television he said, "I saw people dying and fighting against each other for food and I just wanted to help them."
Realizing that shoes, food, and other supplies would be too costly to ship, with the principal's permission, they began the project called, "Pennies for Haiti" or "Pennies from Heaven" as others remarked. The momentum quickly increased as Jonathan Maldonado, also a 6th grader, brought in a large jug of coins that his family had saved for many months. All the school got involved--students, teachers, pastors, and friends of San Miguel--pitching in coins, and little by little the amount grew to over $580.00 as pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, even some bills came pouring in.
That might sound like a little amount, but it proved the point of the theme - that practicing little loving actions each day, like collecting pennies, can make a difference in the lives of other people. "It doesn't matter what color," Pedro continued, "just help them."
On a snowy day in Tulsa, when school was dismissed early, some students were able to count the coins as they waited on their parents to pick them up. As the coins were poured out and sorted it seemed to reinforce in everyone's mind that little ideas followed through on and little loving actions do lead us on a heavenly way, as St. Therese so wisely taught.
San Miguel in Orlando San Miguel students Teresita Garcia, Flor Lozano and Denise Reyna during their recent trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, Fla.
San Miguel Class Wins Trip to Orlando Although they didn’t win an online voting contest, the graduating class at San Miguel School of Tulsa is still going to the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios in Orlando.
San Miguel School to Relocate Classrooms San Miguel School is soon moving out of the basement of St. Francis Xavier Church and into the Catholic Charities buildings.
