By Hailey Sloan
Earlier this semester, Heritage students voted on the cause they wanted to support for MAD Week 2022. The decision was between three different charities: Childshelp, Mile High Lab Mission and One Tree Planted.
“Towards the beginning of the week, votes were pretty tied between Mile High Lab Mission and One Tree Planted,” explains Romy W., ’22, one of the co-presidents of Eagle Outreach. “As we kept going, One Tree Planted just kept growing significantly.”
One Tree Planted plants one tree for every dollar donated in hopes of giving back to the environment, creating a healthier climate, protecting biodiversity, and helping reforestation efforts. Based on Heritage’s past MAD Week trends, this could lead to tens of thousands of new trees being planted throughout the world.
“Our goal this year is going to be $20,000 all together,” says Romy. “Hopefully we beat it! In the past we’ve raised up to $30,000.”
MAD Week has been a Heritage tradition since 2007 and has supported a wide variety of causes, including the Wild Animal Sanctuary, Heifer International, and Heritage’s sister school in Sierra Leone. The weeklong fundraiser is planned and run by Eagle Outreach, a club dedicated to inspiring the Heritage community to make a difference.
Junior Miriam J. is excited for what will be her first genuine MAD Week experience.
“I haven’t really experienced MAD Week because my freshman year it wasn’t really in full effect, so I’m just looking forward to experiencing it,” Miriam says.
Emilee C., ’22, is also looking forward to MAD Week 2022.
“I’m looking forward to dressing up,” Emilee states. “I’m excited for the underclassmen, and the juniors, too, to experience MAD Week, because they didn’t really get to do it in person their first time.”
In addition to the typical MAD Week traditions, such as dress up days, the student/staff basketball game, Dollar Delays and sticker sales, Eagle Outreach is looking to introduce some new events.
“We’re going to try to put on something like a dodgeball tournament or another event of some sort,” says Romy.
There will also be significant changes to Mr. Eagle, which was formerly a pageant between 12 senior boys on the final day of MAD Week.
“We’re not having Mr. Eagle anymore; it’s called the Senior Showdown. It’s gender neutral and everyone can participate. There are still going to be 12 participants, though, and it will still be the same type of thing as Mr. Eagle,” Romy explains.
Seniors interested in participating in the Senior Showdown must complete the self nomination on the Eagle Outreach website by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16.
Despite these changes, MAD Week’s goal of making a difference remains the same.
“I’m excited to see the community in the school. Hopefully we’ll be able to make a difference!” says Miriam.