The True Spirit of Serviam

The Cereal Effect

Millions of American schoolchildren go hungry every day and Ursuline students, in the true spirit of Serviam, are committed to doing something about it. The harsh reality that childhood hunger touches our local community first became a focus for Ursuline students in the fall of 2021 when representatives of HOPE Community Services in New Rochelle (HOPE) reported a significant spike in requests for breakfast cereal each September. In response, a three person student-led group stepped to the forefront to take decisive action. Together, they proposed “The Cereal Effect,” a schoolwide service initiative to combat hunger in our local community.

Led by Olivia Goncalves ‘22, Lena Gilardi ‘24, and Caralyn LoConte ‘25, the entire school community came together to donate nearly 1,100 boxes of cereal to HOPE. Students and staff members carefully lined up box after cereal box throughout the building. After the last box was placed, they toppled the first box and watched as every box fell, creating a domino effect. It was a powerful visual for all to see as it helps to show the interconnectivity of the Ursuline community and how one positive decision or action can lead to another resulting in meaningful change.

In September 2022, junior Lena Gilardi and sophomore Caralyn LoConte picked up the reins and launched the second Annual Cereal Effect with the goal to collect 1,250 boxes of cereal, a nod to Ursuline‘s 125th academic year. On Wednesday, September 14, students lined up box after box of cereal donations in a similar fashion. Once again, students cheered as the boxes fell over like dominos and cheered even louder when they learned they had surpassed their goal, donating a total of 1,538 boxes for distribution to local families in need through HOPE.

Now bolstered by two consecutive years of unparalleled success, Ursuline students are already looking ahead to next year.

“The Cereal Effect” serves as a welcome reminder that the spirit of Serviam is alive and well at The Ursuline School. Perhaps senior Alexis Carson put it best when she said, “I really think this fundraiser is amazing! It is going to help a lot of families in need and shows what our school is all about. It‘s about Serviam!”