Reach Leadership: Club Feature

MHS Reach Leadership
Written by Haley Smith
February 1st, 2021

Melrose High School Reach Leadership is a club that deserves more recognition than it receives. I interviewed Michaela Szymcazcak, a senior and three year member of the club, who also serves as the raffle basket coordinator. Reach Leadership is led by a group of board members - Camille Wahl, Lucy Blazej, Bella Scacchi, Ella Wallace and Luke Kenawell, along with English teacher and advisor, Mr. Tuccinardi. In short, MHS Reach Leadership is a branch off of Family Reach, a nationwide organization. Cancer is devastating as it is but the sickness isn't the only thing that affects families. Financial burdens are often looked over. Reach Leadership’s goal is “to raise money for the families in need while undergoing treatment. A family's main focus should be their sick child, not figuring out weather to buy groceries for the week or paying the electric bill. Helping these families lets their child get better so their lives can get back to normal.”.

Another senior worth noting is Camille Wahl, whom Family Reach assisted financially as she herself went through chemotherapy. Family Reach was able to relieve the stress from groceries, house bills, and transportation, so her family could focus on Camille fighting cancer. Camille was very grateful for Family Reach and wanted to give back to them in order to assist other families as they had done for her.

So, what does Reach Leadership do? One of the biggest events that takes place every December is a Hope for the Holidays Festival. It is open mic style and performers sign up. Club members take part in the organizing of the event, raffles, advertising, social media, performances, and donations. “The festival was held virtually this year and the support from our communities of MHS, Melrose, and Family Reach was overwhelming!” In addition to this big event, the club loves to collaborate and come up with new ideas. “We have done everything from Chipotle fundraisers, selling gold ribbons to raise awareness for childhood cancer, donation bingos on social media, and making care packages for cancer patients. 100% of our proceeds go directly to Family Reach.”

The best part of Reach Leadership according to Michaela is the planning of events, which she says is just as exciting as the event itself. “In the past, Family Reach has been able to give us tips and advice on our social media marketing strategies and connect us with celebrity performers, including Colleen Ballinger” (who is a YouTuber, comedian, actress, singer and writer, most known for her Internet character Miranda Sings).

Michaela and I both encourage you to join Reach Leadership. At the end of our conversation, Michaela wanted to make this statement clear. “Reach Leadership is the most welcoming and supportive club I have ever been in. Our tight-knit community attracts students from all four grades of high school. The best feeling is totaling up the money we raised from our event and figuring out how many families we have supported.” Reach Leadership is currently working on care packages for young cancer patients. To join the club, contact any board members or Mr. Tuccinardi.