VIDEO: NBHS Student Council Gives Big

The banquet for the  Student Council's  on March 1 was more than two months in the making. Since Dec. 21, members of the Student Council have been fundraising with a goal of beating the $10,000 total of the .

The Student Council split into 21 teams, choosing their own charities and fundraising ideas. After a moving presentation, including speeches from Student Council advisor Stephanie Byrd, Student Council officers, several Big Give teams and Principal , along with a musical presentation by Emma Vergati and Stephen Krom, the entire Student Council stood before the many gathered in the cafeteria.

Student Council President Ryan Dombrowski stated that they had, indeed, hit $10,000. He then upped the total by $1,000 as papers flipped to finally reveal a total of $18,000. The total was met by a resounding standing ovation from staff, parents and guests. 

Every member of the Student Council received a medallion for their efforts and warm words from Byrd (see video). Byrd also thanked several people, in addition to the members of the Student Council, for making the Big Give possible including: 

"Assistant advisor Carrie Esposito, Superintendent Scott Schoonmaker and NBHS Principal Todd Stoeffler for supporting our programs and our many efforts throughout the year; Jenn McCulloch from the Patch, Pam Johnson from The Sound and Frank Mentone from the  for speaking to our students and writing inspiring pieces to help spread the word that the Big Give was up and running.

"Thank you Miss [Jackie] Folz for all of your help setting up tonight," added Byrd. "To , thank you so much for supporting our Big Give and our students. There are many words that come to mind when it comes to what you do for our schools and our community, but the one that shines above the rest is amazing. Lynn not only mentored some of our teams but she also made a very generous contribution to the Big Give. And to our parents, you were all an incredibly important part of this project and we couldn’t have done it without you."

After presenting Riordan with flowers, all of the members of the Student Council then gave their parents a standing ovation for their support throughout the project.

Dombrowski also thanked people in his speech including "Superintendent Schoonmaker, Mr. Stoeffler and all of the NBHS administration for allowing us to participate in this project, Joe Parisi for the video and Student Council Advisor Miss Byrd for the countless hours she puts into this school on a day to day basis. Her commitment to the students of NBHS is truly unmatched. I can say, with plans of going into the field of education, she is my biggest inspiration with everything she does."

, vice president of the Student Council, shared his pride in being a part of not only the Big Give, but a member of the Student Council as well.

"The excitement and dedication of this council makes us proud to be officers, representing this fantastic group of people," he said.