By J1 Reporter Karis Simon

Art teacher Ms. Esther Hamra has been a freshman class moderator for four years and counting. In the past, Hamra and English teacher Ms. Halli Tripe worked together as Co-Moderators. This is Hamra’s first year moderating the freshman class all by herself.  She continues to work hard as freshman class moderator in hopes that one day her home room will donate enough money to earn a day off. She describes it as a “huge undertaking” since she is in charge of putting everything together until Class Officers are decided in November. 

Hamra says she doesn’t “see all that much contribution [and] support from other classes,” but wishes girls would go support give back nights. She finds that the other classes get annoyed with the freshmen, but wishes that they could better empathize. These girls all had a similar experience as freshmen at Marian. For most freshmen, Walk-A-Thon is the first time they have had to raise money as a class without direct guidance. Compared to other classes, freshmen have no knowledge of good strategies or have reliable connections like other classes. The freshman class heavily relies on the other classes for organizing kickback nights and car washes and then inviting them to join or co-sponsor.

Walk-A-Thon is a time where real leaders within the freshman class emerge. These are the girls who are passionate about helping the Marian community. They take initiative, have a positive outlook, and lead with compassion. Hamra encourages girls who prove to be a positive impact to consider running for class leadership positions.  Hamra knows that the freshmen don’t always have it the easiest when trying to contribute to Walk-A-Thon, but that the effort they put in is valued by the Marian community.