Stevenson raising money for Japan relief

Stevenson High School’s annual March Madness fundraiser kicked off Tuesday.

But instead of raising cash for a local charity, as the inaugural event did last year, the effort will support the American Red Cross’ relief work in Japan.

Organizers hope to raise between $3,000 and $4,000 for the cause with the March Madness contest, which pits 64 teachers against each other in what’s essentially a five-round, bracketed contest mimicking this month’s NCAA tournament.

“It’s basically a popularity contest,” Stevenson spokesman Jim Conrey said.

Students and staffers can drop financial contributions of any size into plastic containers in the wood commons, a popular cafeteria area. Each container bears the name and photograph of a teacher.

The teachers are in head-to-head battles each round. Whoever has more money in their jar at the end of the round advances to the next level.

Last year’s winner, business education teacher Sean Carney, is defending his title. The first round concludes Wednesday. The final four contestants will be determined before classes end for Spring Break on March 25, and the contest will wrap up after students return on April 4.

“We’ll have our final four figured out before the NCAA does,” Conrey said.

Last year’s March Madness contest raised about $3,000 for the Lincolnshire school’s Project Dance, which in turn supports the Riverside Foundation, a local home for developmentally disabled adults.

But with the disaster in Japan still unfolding, changing charities seemed like the right move, said Aaron Wellington, the school’s student activities coordinator and event organizer.

Stevenson speech pathologist Nancy Eberhardt put money in a few teachers’ containers Tuesday.

“I got $20 in singles so I could vote for a lot of people,” she said. “Rather than putting it in one spot, I wanted to share the fun.”

Freshman Claire Robinson dropped some cash into gym teacher Jane Klewin’s container.

“She’s my favorite teacher,” Robinson said. “She’s very inspirational.”

Wellington didn’t just organize the event — he’s competing in it, too. His first-round foe is math teacher Val Consiglio.

“You never want to take an opponent too lightly,” Wellington said with a laugh. “You’ve got to take it one game at a time.”