Senior class surprises some, touches many

NewsChannel 10

Amarillo, Texas - A group of students at an Amarillo school have made a decision that is surprising many.

It's an effort to help tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri and it's being done single-handedly by 20 seniors at Holy Cross Catholic Academy.

Senior Class President Michael Deemer says, "It was a unanimous decision that it was the right thing to do."

The senior class at Holy Cross Catholic Academy has been raising money all year to go on a senior trip, a tradition at their school. They won't be going after all, because now they're using the money for something else, a donation to tornado victims in Joplin, Missouri.

Deemer explains, "We just saw it on the news and it was just devastating. I couldn't imagine going through that myself. There is nothing left. That's what we felt was right. It was better than using the money for a senior trip for ourselves."

Senior Ruby Marez says, "To try and think of how you would feel in their shoes, it was just devastating to see somebody struggle and go through such difficult times."

Head of school, Father Robert Busch couldn't be more proud. He says, "One of the reasons I was so pleasantly surprised, was that it made me think that maybe some of the values that we've been trying to pass along to them over the course of their time here really have stuck with them. That's something that teachers and administrators always wonder about. How much of this are students actually getting?"

While they don't know what the $1,000 will be used for just yet, it's the passion of these 20 seniors that really shows.

Marez says, "I was really happy and proud of my class for such a big step we took in deciding to let go of a senior trip. We will always have the memory of helping somebody else out."

The students have found a Catholic church in Joplin, where they will be sending the money.