St. Louis U. High’s annual Mission Week is quickly approaching, and StuCo has been diligently working to make this mission week like no other. Starting next week, it will feature many new activities (like yoga) in addition to some classic traditions, like the Eight Mile rap battle and the head-shaving fundraiser. All proceeds for the event will go towards the Little Bit Foundation, a local organization that helps under-privileged students achieve a quality education.

Planning for Mission Week began early December, and preparation for the week has ramped up significantly as the date has neared. While StuCo wanted to keep some of the week’s most beloved traditions, logistics for the event have proved difficult. 

“There's so much stuff we wanted to do this Mission Week that we just couldn't because of Covid and this new schedule,” said senior Anthony Adem. “For example, usually at the Eight Mile event everyone's crowding around the stage, but unfortunately that crowding cannot happen this year. So we had to figure out how we are going to deal with that.”

Yoga was a new addition to the Mission Week festivities this year. With most students only having 30 free minutes during Academic Lab, StuCo wanted to have an activity that did not take up a lot of time and allowed students to spread out. Yoga will be led by PE instructor Patrick Zarrick and Spanish teacher Kate Toussaint, both qualified yoga instructors, and will happen during both freshman/sophomore and junior/senior Academic Labs on Tuesday and Thursday.

“The mission of the week is both educational security and mental health,” said senior James Brunts. “So, we wanted to have an event where students could relax and destress. Yoga is the perfect way to do this and fits within 30-minute Academic Labs that we have on A days.”

Two Mission Week staples will be making their return this year. The Eight Mile rap battle will kick off the week on Monday during 8th period. StuCo hopes that both students and teachers will show off their lyrical talents to the school. Head shaving will conclude Mission Week this year. Students can donate money to watch selected students and faculty lose their hair in the Commons on Friday.

StuCo will also be playing the Prep News in basketball in order to raise money for the charity. A rivalry that has lasted decades will finally come to its annual head on the courts during 8th period on Wednesday. Admissions for the event will be one dollar.

“There has been a lot of hype about this game, and the game certainly deserves it,” said Adem. “It is going to be exciting to watch these two dominant clubs at SLUH battle it out. I hope a lot of people show up to the game because it is going to be great.”

Mission Week will also feature a couple of evening activities. On Wednesday at 6:00 p.m., an Open Mic Night will be in the Si Commons. It will feature all types of talents from singing to circus tricks. On Thursday, StuCo invites students to order food from SLUH alum-owned restaurants (a list of these restaurants will be sent out during Mission Week). As part of a partnership between these restaurants and StuCo, ten percent of the profits on Thursday night will be donated to the Mission Week funds. StuCo has also joined up with Campus Ministry to organize a fish fry on the Friday of Mission Week.

“We want to keep students engaged even after classes are over,” said Brunts. “With the open mic night, we wanted something that was relaxing and laid back. With the restaurants, we wanted to support SLUH businesses and make students more aware about SLUH dining options, and with the fish fry, we thought it was a good way to start off Lent.”

With all the fun festivities of the week, it is easy to forget the reason why this week exists in the first place. At its heart, though, this week is about generosity. The Little Bit Foundation helps supply children in St. Louis with school supplies and other educational necessities. With the impact that the pandemic has had on schools in the region, StuCo believes that this is an issue that students will be able to connect to on a personal level.

“We chose them because educational security is probably one of the most important affecting St. Louis right now. Earlier this year, when we went on Zoom for the first couple weeks and were hybrid, it was hard for students to learn,” said Adem. “Imagine how students who go to schools that cannot do what SLUH does feel right now.”

StuCo hopes that students and faculty will participate, enjoy the events scheduled, and above all, donate to the cause. In addition to collecting money, Campus Ministry will be holding a school supplies and hygiene products drive. All collected items go directly to the Little Bit Foundation and support their mission.

“I feel like the importance of next week's drive is to really strive for the mission of the impoverished kids that we are helping, especially through the pandemic and all the struggles of learning online,” said junior Jared Thornberry. “This gives them the resources they need to help kids succeed.” 

“My hopes are that people aren't deterred because of Covid,” said Adem. “I hope they attend like they would a normal year, and I want the whole school to be excited to come out in numbers that are close to what we can usually get just so we can raise as much money for the Little Bit Foundation.”