(above) Members of the WHS Dream Team were presented with a donation from Mountainside Elks Lodge #1585.
WHS Dream Team Students Accept Donation from Mountainside Elks
Submitted by Kerri Oligino
The Mountainside Elks Lodge #1585 presented a donation to the Westfield High School Dream Team students on Sunday, November 3, 2019. The Dream Team club at Westfield High School encourages responsible decision-making, healthy choices, and a substance-free lifestyle for students. Their message is, “Confidence, Choices, Challenges, Changes”.
The Westfield Municipal Alliance sponsors the WHS Dream Team activities, including annual student attendance at the NJ Elks Peer Leadership Conference in Long Branch. The 2020 conference dates are February 7-9 and it’s the 12th consecutive year that Dream Team students will attend. Health educator and physical education teacher, Lauren Hauser, is the WHS Dream Team advisor. Ms. Hauser explained that membership to the WHS Dream Team club has grown exponentially in the past two years. “The Mountainside Elks’ donation will assist in supporting the increased number of student registrants for the conference,” said Hauser.
The Mountainside Elks invest in their communities through programs that help children grow up healthy and drug-free. The mission of the Mountainside Elks aligns with that of the Westfield Municipal Alliance to promote positive behavior, strengthen students’ leadership skills, and encourage peer-mentoring.
The parent liaison for the Westfield Alliance, Kerri Oligino, explained that the leadership conference instills confidence in young leaders and inspires participants to return to their communities and take the next steps to transform lives around them. “We appreciate the generosity of the Mountainside Elks and we are thrilled to send a greater number of students to the conference in February,” said Oligino.
The Mountainside Elks #1585 are located at 1193 Route 22, Mountainside, NJ. For more information visit, elks.org/lodges/contactus.cfm?LodgeNumber=1585.
