Here is the clean, extracted text from the “Our President Reports…” page (Page 2 of the Winter 2026 Bennett Beacon) ready to copy and paste directly into WordPress:
Our President Reports… Together We Make a Huge Difference for Bennett BY NEIL LANGE, FACULTY
Wishing each and every one of you the best in the new year. We have so many things to be grateful for!!
After almost two years of planning, we executed our 100th Anniversary Celebration Weekend with precision. This would not have been possible without all of the countless hours of planning and preparing of our volunteer committees, and of course, all of the Bennett Alumni and friends who participated in all of the activities. Well over 1000 people joined in the fun. It was a great time to renew old friendships, to meet new people and to join in the tie that connects us all – Bennett High School.
Now we are back to our regular mission work – supporting the students and staff of our school. We continue to have much to do. Sadly, cuts to District budgets have significantly increased the number of students in classes. It has also reduced the amount of “extras” teachers have to enhance their lessons.
That is where we come in. Through your memberships and your increased giving, we are able to supply those materials that are so needed to reach our youth. In a troubled world, engaging our young people in education is of utmost importance. Together, we are truly doing miracles.
Through our Mini-Grant Program, we are able to provide educational materials and incentives to foster school spirit and educational excellence.
Mini-Grants that we are providing this year include:
- Sweatshirts for Girls Tennis & Basketball Teams
- Tigers Den Items
- Prizes for Tiger Tickets Raffles
- PlayStation 5 for E-Sports Club
- Global 10 Exam Review Materials
- Piano Repair & Replace needed Studio Cables
- Earth Science Lab Supplies
- Rewards for Check-in / Check-out Students
- Senior Trip Bus
- Graduation Supplies
- Senior Breakfast & Class Day Supplies
- Class Set of Short Stories by Raymond Carver
- Field Trip to Spare Lanes
- Field Trip to Elevator Alley AT Buffalo River
- Supplies for Print Business
- Vocabulary Development for Biology & Earth Science
- Flexible Seating Supplies
- Delta Math Curriculum Enhancement Materials
- Essential Science Materials
- National Honor Society Induction Ceremony
- Printer/Copier Supplies
- Soccer Hoodies – Varsity Team
- Soccer Hoodies – Junior Varsity Team
- Basketball Team Hoodies – Varsity Team
- Basketball Team Hoodies – Junior Varsity Team
- Swim Team Hooded Sweatshirts
- Boys Swim Team Hoodies
- Girls Swim Team Charm Necklaces for Seniors
- Boys Swim Team Senior Gifts
- Swim Apparel – Girls Team Hoodies
- Parent Hospitality Cart
- Tie Dye T-shirts and supplies
- Varsity Bowling Team Sweatshirts
- Bowling Equipment for Boys Varsity Team
- Bowling Equipment for Girls Varsity Team
- Bowling Bags, Shoes, Rosin Bags, Tape
- Aquariums for Biology Classes
- Senior Decision Day Supplies
- Biology Program – Magic School
- Biology/Environmental Science Supplies
Beyond all of these grants, we continue to fund Educational Grants (scholarships) and funding for special programs that our administrative team sees as important to incentivize the students.
I am also happy to report about our successful Boxes of Love and Holiday Bazaar events. Under the leadership of Tara Maj and Bennett Social Worker Linda Scinta, and members of the National Honor Society, we were able to provide holiday gifts for over 200 students. Most of these young people would not be able to provide gifts for their families. Each year we transform the Alumni Room into Santa’s Workshop. Each period throughout the day, students come down to “shop” for gifts. From toys to books, Christmas decorations and clothing and jewelry, each student was able to get four presents. Our volunteers wrapped each present. We also provided snacks and hot chocolate. Of all the things we do each year, this is truly my favorite. The students are so polite and really express their joy!
At this point of our membership year, we are significantly behind in members. I am not quite sure if this is a reflection on the amount of money that was spent on tickets to the 100th Anniversary Celebrations or if people simply have forgotten the importance of their dues to fund our programs.
Whatever the reason, I am hoping that all of our dedicated alumni will actively consider supporting Bennett and her current students. Our young people’s futures are at stake!!
Each of us received so much during our years here. Together we do great work.