On Saturday, Oct. 5, the Palmyra High School Foundation for Educational Excellence held its third annual casino night. The fundraiser brought together parents, teachers and the community to celebrate and benefit the high school.
Over the last two years, the PHSFEE has raised more than $30,000 at casino night, enabling it to support the Palmyra High School science department by supplying funds for items that may not have been budgeted for. These items have ranged from purchasing Chromebooks to redesigning the science labs.
While the final numbers have not yet been calculated for this year, the PHSFEE board members feel they have surpassed the previous year’s total and, instead of donating the money to update the science department once again, the organization will be updating the art department.
“On behalf of PHSFEE, I would like to thank our local businesses for your sponsorships and donations,” said Christine Murnane, Board of Trustee and Casino Night co-chair. “Thank you to the numerous volunteers, our Palmyra High School Interact Club students, Sacred Heart Church and our close-knit community for coming together to support all the children of Palmyra High School. Your response was overwhelming and greatly appreciated.”
According to Murnane, the organization’s mission is to support PHS in providing a challenging and enriching educational experience that maximizes the learning potential of every student and prepares students for future success. As committed parents,
teachers, community members and PHS alumni, PHSFEE also seeks to enhance the image of Palmyra High School and to spread awareness of all that it offers to benefit the future of the children and the community.
This was the ideology that led to the organization switching from helping the science department to the art department. The vast amount of topics art covers allows PHSFEE to make an even bigger impact in the school. After Murnane sat down and discussed new ways to benefit PHS with members of the school district, a collective agreement was reached to help the art department, which also encompasses music and photography.
“It feels very empowering to support and fundraise for the school,” said Murnane. “I have two children in high school and I love to participate knowing that I’m helping to enrich their education. Palmyra is a close-knit community. Everyone knows everyone and it’s kind of like family. By being part of the organization, we are able to help everyone. Not just the elite students, but everyone in the community. I have a feeling I’ll be doing this even after my kids graduate.”
While the Palmyra High School Foundation for Educational Excellence continues to calculate and plan where they will specifically use donations, updates will be made on the organization’s Facebook. To get involved with the organization or make a donation, visit PHSFEE.org.
