Emerald Ridge Leadership Students Give Back to Ridgecrest Elementary Community

(L-R) Emerald Ridge High Assistant Principal Steve Leifsen, Ridgecrest Elementary Student Jaxon, Jaxon's grandmother, mother, and Ridgecrest Elementary Principal Michelle Fox.

Last week, the Emerald Ridge High (ERHS) leadership students visited Ridgecrest Elementary, helping create a memory the students and one of their families will remember for quite some time.

Making a Difference on Our Elementary Youth

Every year, the ERHS Leadership Students put together a community service project on campus. However, they wanted to do something a little different for 2023.

According to the students' advisor, Jennifer Murphy, this year's project was about community with the emphasis on unity. She also included that she wanted the students to develop servant leadership qualities and have an impact on the community-at-large, which is why they decided to go to Ridgecrest Elementary to visit classrooms and host a special holiday assembly.

The visit started with the leadership students visiting classrooms across Ridgecrest's campus while they were doing holiday arts and crafts projects.

 

Ridgecrest student Matty Garcia commented, "It's a lot of fun. They're funny and make us laugh."

ERHS student Mateo Ngueita said hanging out with the kids brought him down memory lane. "I think it's kind of cool to see how kids grow," Ngueita said. "Seeing the development and seeing how I am now and think, 'oh wow. I used to be like that.' You can see yourself in some of the kids."

Winter Wishes Assembly

Shortly after, the Raiders went to their auditorium for a holiday-themed assembly named Winter Wishes—arranged and hosted by the ERHS leadership students. The program included a holiday song karaoke contest between each grade, ERHS's Jaguar Mascot and the Dr. Seuss Christmas Book Character, the Grinch, also made appearances.

The highlight of the assembly focused on Ridgecrest Student, Jaxon, who, since last year, has been battling osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer. With his family in attendance, the ERHS Leadership Students surprised Jaxon with a check for over $3,400, raised through cash donations in class and athletic events at ERHS in only two weeks.

 

Jaxon's mother, Taime Zillmer, who was emotional when the Jaguars revealed the check, says the money will help their family through Jaxon's cancer battle. 

"It means everything to us," Zillmer said. "We've been at Ridgecrest since my daughter was in kindergarten, and now she's at Ferrucci. We've been part of this family for a long time, and it means the world to us that the community cares and is helping support our son through this hard time."

How the Community Can Contribute to Jaxon

At the beginning of December, Ridgecrest also launched a fundraiser for Jaxon, raising over $3,900 so far! Those who are interested in donating can do so through InTouch Payments (select Items at All Schools, Elementary, Ridgecrest, General, and then submit the amount you would like to donate), or cash at Ridgecrest through Wednesday, January 31, 2024.

Huge thanks to ERHS leadership students and advisors Jennifer Murphy and ERHS Assistant Principal Steve Leifsen for their amazing work!