By Claudia Loucks
Geneseo Current

Northside Grade School fifth graders are doing their part in reaching out to help others.

Forty-seven students in the school’s two fifth grade classes recently participated in the

Penny Wars, raising funds for a charity of their choice.

The girls collected $298.18 for Cure Sanfilippo with the winning essay written by Sophia Gluck, daughter of Mario and Jennifer Gluck. According to the online definition: Sanfilippo syndrome is an ultra-rare, neurometabolic disease which leads to severe neurodegeneration and multisystemic impacts.

The boys collected $224.68 for Gigi’s Playhouse with the winning essay written by Wyatt Murray,

Participating students were required to research the organization they chose to write

about and use their persuasive writing skills to convince their classmates to donate the

money toward the organization they chose.

Gluck is a student in Janelle Hickey’s fifth grade class and Murray is a student in Amber Williamsen’s fifth grade.

Both charities have a personal connection to the students. Fifth grade teacher Janelle Hickey has a nephew who recently was diagnosed with Sanfilippo, and several students chose to write essays in support of her nephew.

Wyatt Murray’s sister has Down’s syndrome and Gigi’s Playhouse has special meaning to him and his family. His sister also is a student at Northside.

CURE SANFILIPPO BY SOPHIA GLUCK (UNEDITED)

“Selena Gomez supports the Cure Sanfilippo Foundation. I think we should donate the penny wars money to Cure Sanfilippo Foundation because only so many people have it and it only makes 1.3 million dollars a year and cancer makes 21 billion dollars a year. One of my three reasons is that kids and teenagers are suffering. Another reason is kids get diagnosed really late. My final reason is that Sanfilippo is super rare.

Kids and teenagers are suffering because it’s a metabolism disorder which means their body can’t break down the sugar in their food but that is not what they pass from, they pass from respiratory infection. They also get diagnosed from 203 years old which means they go a pretty big time of their life without any treatment because if you get Sanfilippo you are bon with it. Only so many people have it, 1 in 70,000 people have it, so since only so many people have it, it only makes 1 million dollars a year.

My second reason is kids get diagnosed really late. Kids get diagnosed really late because doctors think its Autism. Autism is a symptom that comes with Sanfilippo. It took Mrs. Hickey’s sister 5 doctors to finally listen to her and get Mrs. Hickey’s nephew diagnosed with Sanfilippo. Some of the other symptoms besides Autism is Delayed speech, behavior problems, struggle with communications and social skills, sleep disturbances, movement disorders, and seizures.

My final reason is Sanfilippo is rare to have. Sanfilippo is rare to have because both parents have to have the gene. A gene is where you don’t have Sanfilippo but if you have a kid with someone who also has the gene that kid has a twenty five percent chance to have Sanfilippo. It’s also VERY rare for both parents to have the gene. My final reason is usually the parents don’t know they have the gene.

As you tell kids and teenagers really do suffer, Sanfilippo is very rare, and kids get diagnosed really late. I think the penny wars money should go to Sanfilippo.”

DOWN SYNDROME BY WYATT MURRAY (UNEDITED)

“Could you imagine having a family member with Down Syndrome and having to pay thousands for a tutor to come? Lucky for my sister Ellie we had Gigi’s playhouse. The fifth grade class should donate to Gigi’s playhouse because Down Syndrome is a major genetic condition yet least funded. You need to donate to Gigi’s playhouse because if you do you can help individuals with Down Syndrome learn life skills. Gigi’s playhouse is free for families and it also provides a support center for individuals with Down Syndrome and their families.

You need to donate to Gigi playhouse because if you do you can help individuals with down syndrome learn life skills. Everyday they give life changing therapeutic, educational, and career training programs. As you can see Gigi’s play playhouse programs help a lot. They help by teaching how to cook, work habits, job skills, fitness, and nutrition.

Gigi’s Playhouse is free for families. Gigi playhouse won’t charge any money for young kids to learn, and it would cost thousands without donations. Older kids and teens learn life skills to adapt to school and extra programs. Also adults gain independence in job skills, and personal care.

Gigi’s playhouse provides a support center. When people with Down Syndrome go to Gigi’s playhouse they see people like them. Families get a chance to share knowledge gained about supporting their family members. Plus it is an excellent way people can volunteer and learn how they can help their community.

In conclusion, the fifth grade class should donate the penny war funds to Gigi’s playhouse because Down Syndrome is a major genetic condition yet least funded. The penny war funds should be donated to Gigi’s playhouse because if you do you can help individuals with Down Syndrome learn life skills. It is free for families and provides a support center. Also because Gigi’s Playhouse gives so much learning and support to individuals wit Down Syndrome.”