Milton High has some fantastic news to share – and is asking for the community’s help. A group of five Milton High School students competed in a statewide LifeSmarts competition yesterday at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston and WON the State title. This group of five students has qualified to travel to Orlando, Florida during the last week of April to represent both Milton High School and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the National Lifesmarts Championship. Congratulations to Jack Caljouw, Albert Enyedy, Maryam El-Sayed, Cormac Conners and Chris Ricciuti, along with Coach Nancy Mikels.

The Milton High School LifeSmarts team qualified for the Nationals last year, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. However, there was sponsorship funding provided to winning teams by the organizing body, which is no longer available. Now the schools need to find a way to send these talented students to represent the Milton Public Schools and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on a national stage. They are hoping that members of the Milton community may assist in defraying the cost of this trip.

Between airfare, hotel and meals for five days, they estimate the cost to compete at Nationals to be approximately $9,000 for the group of five students plus two coaches. The high school must register and pay for this trip within 24 hours if our students intend to compete.

If there is a business, non-profit group or individual who could commit $500 or $1,000 towards the cost of this competition, Mr. Jette is asking that they contact him as soon as possible. He will then follow up with specific information about LifeSmarts, the trip and any other information they may need that will assist them in making a donation on behalf of Milton High School’s LifeSmart team. If donors would like to make a contribution of any amount, they can send in a check made payable to Milton High School Activity Fund AND write “LifeSmarts” in the memo field.

The students on the LifeSmarts team will also be fundraising to help pay for this trip, but with such a short time frame to raise money, they need your help.

The National LifeSmarts Championship brings together top students teams from across the country to demonstrate knowledge in five core topics areas: personal finance, consumer rights and responsibilities, technology, health and safety, and the environment. LifeSmarts is a fun and educational event in which everyone learns, expands their experiences and opportunities, meets new friends, and explores a new area of the country.

Please reply to Mr. Jette (jjette@miltonps.org) if you have a lead for him or a fundraising idea for this group. Again, they need to move quickly in order to get our students registered. If you have any questions or wish to make a personal contribution please e-mail Principal James Jette at jjette@miltonps.org or call him  at (617) 696-4470 ext. 5505.

For more information on LifeSmarts, click here: http://www.lifesmarts.org/

For information about the LifeSmarts National Championship, click here: http://www.lifesmarts.org/competitions/nationals/