Sophomores entering the new year at Malden High School found themselves without a class adviser. The role of a class adviser is to assist a specified grade in fundraisers for future events, such as prom.
In previous years, a staff member has stepped up in the fall for freshmen year, preceding the election of officers. However, the Class of 2022 did not get this opportunity until recently. The absence of a class adviser coming into their sophomore year had become a set back for them.
Up until the hiring of Daniel (Dan) Jurkowski, a team of sophomores have been taking initiative and getting a head start on the fundraising process. In addition to the slush they sold at graduation last June, this year they had the opportunity to run a car wash with the senior class.
Caitlin Quinn, the class advisor for the seniors, really feels for the sophomore class. She understands that “raising money is very difficult, and takes much time and effort.” While Quinn is not quite sure where the idea came from, “after talking with Chris Mastrangelo and the senior class officers, [they] felt it was the right thing” to split the profit made from the car wash. Her logic was the more student volunteers, meaning the more money they could make for both classes.
Quinn concluded that the car wash was “very successful” for both sides. Mayor Gary Christenson stopped by for a visit along with Malden’s Police Chief, Kevin Molis. As always, Mayor Christenson promoted the event on his social media with the caption: “[He] already [has] the feel-good story of the day with the MHS Class of 2020 volunteering to share the proceeds of this morning’s car wash with the Class of 2022...”
Regardless of the many worries expressed among the class, sophomore Jennifer Machado believes that “[they are] at a pretty good place right now” considering they already did the slush stand last year and were able to assist with the senior class’s car wash. In addition, Machado wants to start doing bottle collections. She explains that on Wednesdays they would collect bottles in Holland classrooms, Thursdays for Brunelli and Jenkins, and Fridays for Boyle. The schedule is not set in stone yet, but it is definitely a step in the right direction.
Quinn thought that this idea was “very creative,” and that the school as a whole can help accomplish the bottle collecting project if they start “washing out cans and bottles and placing them in recycle bins for sophomores to collect.” This would be a great low-cost and profitable fundraiser for the class to start out with as they eventually move on to larger scale projects, with the help of their new adviser.
As well as being the new class adviser, Jurkowksi is also a new staff member to the school which explains why he did not hear about the predicament the sophomore class faced until about three weeks ago. He recalled that “one of [his] students, who [he] had at Salemwood had asked [him]” in a joking manner about taking the position, but when Jurkowski saw that Principal Mastrangelo had sent out an email trying to find someone, he started to put it into consideration. At first, “[he] was not sure if it would work with [his] schedule” as he also coaches on top of teaching physical education and health, but after discussing it with Mastrangelo and Brunelli House Principal Heather Northrop, they convinced him that he would be able to handle it.
Jurkowski added that his sports practices do not typically start until after 4:00pm, so he would have time after school to focus on being a class adviser. Like many other people, he likes to be busy and productive, as well as being involved as much as he can. He knew that “the kids really were looking to have somebody officially...and it just worked out.”
The first, and arguably the biggest goal right now it to organize elections. Jurkowski wants to get the ball rolling for that as soon as possible, and since the sophomores are starting so late, elections for this year will be coming up right around the corner. There was a brief informational meeting Tuesday afternoon for those interested in running for a position. After elections, the goal is to fundraise as much as they can for the remainder of the year. Going into junior year, the focus will be on Junior Varieties, their biggest fundraiser.
Clearly, the timing of everything has not been ideal as the class should have had elections last year. However, Jurkowski proposed that “[they will] do the best [they] can,” and “everybody who gets elected this year will have at least six months” to try to contribute.
Over the next few years Jurkowski is looking forward to getting to know everyone in the class, especially people who he “[has not] coached, or… had in gym class yet.” He believes that “getting to know everybody,” along with “working on projects outside of school,” are great ways to build relationships.
The ultimate goal, as it is for every class, is to raise as much money as possible to put towards senior year. Jurkowski wants to make sure that “graduation [is] affordable for everybody and reasonable.” Not to mention the more money they raise over the next few years, the less the tickets will be for prom.
As of right now, Jurkowski is the only class adviser. The administration is working to find a co-adviser for the class as well, and while there are some staff members that are thinking about it, no one has officially stepped up yet. Hopefully, now that the class has one adviser, it will be easier for them to obtain a second one.
To learn more about Mr. Jurkowski, click here.
