Ladue Horton Watkins High School Habitat for Humanity Charter Wins $10,000 In High School Heroes II Competition

Right before the holiday recess, the Ladue Horton Watkins High School’s Habitat for Humanity Charter was notified they were chosen as a runner-up in the SUBWAY® High School Heroes II Competition, which includes an award of $10,000.  The group, made up of students from Ladue Horton Watkins High School (LHWHS), is the only Habitat for Humanity Charter held by a school in Missouri, and one of only a few in the nation.

“The students and I are so excited to have been selected,” states Debra Carson, a math teacher at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and sponsor of the Habitat for Humanity Charter.  “These students work so hard throughout the year.  They definitely deserve the recognition.  However, what’s even more heartwarming, is to see how their thoughts immediately go to planning how they will use the money to support Habitat for Humanity in even greater ways.”

The first round of the contest involved online voting for various projects being done by high schools across the country.  On November 14, the LHWHS students learned they were finalists in the competition.  The ultimate winners were decided after the judging of one-minute videos created by each organization.  Videos were judged for persuasiveness, originality, expression of school spirit and appropriateness to the sponsor (SUBWAY.)

With no “build” on the immediate schedule at the time, Ladue Schools Habitat for Humanity students featured themselves working at ReStore, Habitat for Humanity’s low-cost alternative to traditional hardware stores, which provides additional financial support for the St. Louis affiliate of Habitat for Humanity.
The Ladue Schools high school charter began four years ago when two students, Kim Eiger and Mary Kennedy, came to Carson asking if it was possible to have their own charter.  Today, the charter has over 65 active members who participate on 10-12 build sites each year.

  “It’s a bit different for younger adults because they are not allowed to do the climbing, nailing and heavy work,” explains Carson.  “Many times their tasks are much less glamorous, like shoveling mud and removing waste from the site.  However, it doesn’t seem to dampen their enthusiasm one bit.”

Information was provided by the communications department of the Ladue School District.