CLASS ACT A student-led bake sale provides essential classroom supplies by RACHEL TAYLOR
J
uggling after-school activities, homework and social lives can be a lot for a teenager. But on top of managing their workload at Enloe Magnet High School, Brooke Chow and Emily Shih also spend their time running a charitable organization, The Banana Nut Scholars. It started as a bake sale to help local senior centers. But after hearing from teachers about their struggles stocking basic classroom necessities, the girls switched to raising money for school supplies, buying everything from staples to calculators. “It’s things you don’t even think about, like pens and paper,” says Chow. “And, of course, tissues—literally teachers are purchasing them every week for their students. That’s just crazy. It really adds up over time.”
34 | WALTER
In 2018, the U.S. Department of Education released a study to highlight how much teachers were spending: On average teachers paid $479 for supplies during a school year; and 94% of teachers will pay for supplies at least once in their career. Chow and Shih hope to see policy change to help alleviate the need for teachers to pay out-of-pocket for basic classroom items, but for the time being, they help fill that gap. “Even if we can’t necessarily get them every single item they request, teachers are always so appreciative,” says Chow. “They’ve really helped spread the word.” Initially, teachers around the Triangle were the only ones making requests for supplies. The program has now expanded to reach teachers across the state. The main fundraiser for the organization are bake sales held
Courtesy Brooke Chow
GIVERS
