Shorewood Junior Preps Student Council to Help Greyhound Dogs Find Homes

Countless hundreds of alumni have raced on their school track as Greyhounds, and some may have pondered their namesake as they rounded the corners, but few have actually taken an interest in the living, breathing incarnations of their mascot.

But this year the animal will be in the spotlight of student council's fundraising efforts, with the charity of the year selected as the Wisconsin chapter of Greyhound Pets of America, which helps ex-racing greyhounds find adoptive homes.

"We knew we wanted to do something with animals, and we figured, why not do something to help our own mascot," Student Council President Elliott Kucharczyk asked.

Kucharczyk, a junior, beat out other senior candidates for his position as president, and said he is trying to take full advantage of the opportunities in the position.

"You learn a lot about leadership, and how to plan events, and even how to deal with small personal issues with council members," said Kucharczyk, who has been involved in student council since seventh grade. "And beyond that, it’s a great feeling being able to help out, to be able to know that what you’re doing is having a real effect in the community."

Over this year and next, when he is considering making another run for president, Kucharczyk said he wants to build up more community involvement in student council's annual fundraisers. 

Generally, student council amasses the greatest community engagement once every three years for their Shorewood Games fundraiser to benefit the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund. Kucharczyk hopes to draw more residents to events this year, fostering an annual tradition of involvement.

Although being a junior doesn't always carry the same credibility as seniority, and he feels aware of that at times, he said it hasn't been an issue.

"You have the seniors who've been there longer than me," Kucharczyk said. "I'd be lying if I said you couldn't feel it a little bit. But something about Shorewood is everyone kind of respects each other."

The secretary, Lily Blind, is also a junior. Kucharczyk said he thinks the age difference can be refreshing for the council.

"It makes for a different dynamic," Kucharczyk said. "In the past, everyone has been in the same age group, and kind of the same group of friends. I think this is almost better because everyone comes with their own set of ideas."

The first big event the council has been planning for the greyhounds is a community run/walk to happen in May. They're also working on a student-teacher dodge ball tournament, the traditional Miss Shorewood Pageant, a concert of student bands, and an opportunity for students to volunteer with greyhounds.