Big Hollow school selling wristbands to honor student
Students at Big Hollow Primary School in Ingleside are selling wristbands to honor a peer who died last year.
So far, about 350 of the brightly colored silicone bands have been purchased at $3 each, generating more than $1,000 for the Alex Lancaster Scholarship Fund, organizers said.
Alex, 12, of Round Lake, died in December after practicing what the family had called a Batman stunt in his bedroom.
First-grade students and their teachers developed the wristband project. Alex's brother, Mason, is a first-grader, teacher Christy Stockey said.
The bands are red, blue and orange — Alex's favorite colors. Words on the bands read “In memory of Alex.”
“We are happy to be able to keep Alex's spirit alive around our community,” Stockey said in an email.
“It is an honor to be able to raise money in Alex's name for our students.”
The scholarship fund was created after Alex's death to improve life at Big Hollow School from the students' perspective, explained Alex's mother, Kristina Lancaster.
Benches for students waiting to be picked up at the middle school are set to be installed, for example. More benches are planned for a nature center at the primary school.
Additionally, an annual “AWL THAT” award will be given to a sixth-grader who shows good character and creativity throughout the school year, Lancaster said. The phrase refers to Alex's initials.
“Ultimately, it is hoped that through the Alex Lancaster Scholarship Fund, his family and friends can help his memory alive, leave a positive legacy and make a difference for students in both big and small ways at (the) Big Hollow schools,” Lancaster said in an email.
Organizers had 1,000 bands made and hope to sell them all.
Anyone can purchase a wristband. Order forms and directions are available online at www.teacherweb.com/IL/BigHollow/MrsStockey/apt14.aspx. Orders can be picked up at the Big Hollow Primary School office, too.