Students, Staff Unite in Support of Bork’s Battle Against Cancer

Teachers+Mrs.+Tina+Winter+and+Mrs.+Emma+Santiago+model+t-shirts%2C+which+benefit+Bork

Teachers Mrs. Tina Winter and Mrs. Emma Santiago model t-shirts, which benefit Bork

Tyler Schraven, Student of Journalism
October 19, 2019

Sometimes it takes something negative to bring people together. In this case, that goes for NHS students and staff in support of teacher Ms. Sara Bork, who faces her second battle with cancer. Both students and staff plan how to help. An idea forms to have a fund-raiser to offer financial assistance.

So, the girls’ volleyball game on Oct. 10 becomes the night in which the NHS community unites as one to do some good. All proceeds from the entrance fees went toward helping out Ms. Bork. At the game, staff as well as some students wear t-shirts, featuring quotes from Bork’s most beloved songs. The t-shirt idea evolves from fellow NHS teacher, Mrs. Shelley Aaholm. She needs to have 150 shirts ready for the big night, so she contacts art teacher Mrs. Emma Santiago. She pitchs the idea to Santiago and just like that, 150 t-shirts are set to be heat pressed.

“Heat pressing 150 t-shirts was the least I could do,” Santiago said. “I could give a thousand reasons why I was willing to help.” 

The shirts cost $25, and, similar to the entrance fee, all proceeds help Ms. Bork. Over $2,000 dollars were made through the t-shirts alone, and by the end of the night, NHS had raised about $5,000!

The outpouring of support assists Bork, and several students continue to wear their shirts in the halls of NHS. Wearing t-shirts in support of someone valued in our community and as kind as Ms. Bork is the least we can do as we keep Ms. Bork in our thoughts and prayers, wishing her nothing but the best.

Update Post Event: Bork shared the following words to the NHS community via e-mail.

I have no idea how to express my gratitude and amazement at the generosity of spirit, time, and money in the fieldhouse tonight. Thank you simply does not say enough. I am in awe of the efforts of those who organized and participated in this incredible event.
The news repeated the question about how it felt to be supported by the Neenah “community” multiple times because I kept referring to all of you as family, friends, and neighbors, and he didn’t understand that is how I think of all of you. You certainly are more than a community, as evidenced by all the smiles, hugs, and genuine support I receive every day. More important than any of the funds raised is the foundation of fortitude that gives me strength in times of distress.
Whenever I look back at life, I always see how certain experiences prepared me for difficult times. Certainly Brian had no idea how important the theme of “together” would be this year for so many of us. Nor did he realize how often we would rely upon the Coffee Bean concept when he gave us the book. In all that we have going on at school and in our lives, we are so blessed and lucky to have each other. Together, we are stronger than any storm!

Sara Bork

English
Neenah High School