Creighton University was the site of the Fifth Annual “JayWalk,” a fund and friend-raising event for the Jesuit Middle School of Omaha (JMSO).  The main goal of the JayWalk is to strengthen the relationship between Omaha’s three Jesuit institutions of learning and engage students on all levels to reflect on the importance of giving back to the community.  The Creighton University Students Union is the major organizing force behind this event.    

 

 

Over the past four years, this event has raised close to $30,000 for JMSO.  It has paid for refurbishing the gym, including a beautiful wooden floor and bleachers. The money saved on these purchases helps to fund partial scholarships for each young man who attends JMSO, supplementing the $70/month paid by most of the students’ families. However, no student is ever turned away because of their inability to pay.  

 

This year, the JayWalk raised $11,000.  The school’s Leadership Team, made of Principal Connelly, Dean of Students Kirk Trotter and school President Fr. Jim Michalski, S.J., announced that one half of the money raised will continue to sponsor fifth grade student Lucas Shelton and the other half will go to outdoor campus improvements to raise it to the level of Creighton University’s beautiful campus.  A representative from the 2007-2008 Students Union Executive Committee will come to visit Lucas two times a year during our sponsor and student receptions.  It is also true to say that Lucas is sponsored by all those who participated in this year’s JayWalk through active participation or behind the scenes sponsorship.  

 

The JayWalk is just one of the ways that Creighton University reaches out to the Jesuit Middle School.  JMSO, along with Kellom and Conestoga enjoy an “adopt-a-school” partnership with Creighton.  In addition, many Creighton students provide expert after-school tutoring services for the Jesuit students.  

 

All of the Creighton University involvement helps the Jesuit Middle School of Omaha to provide young male students with a quality environment for growth as students, community leaders and children of God.  This Creighton involvement also models the Jesuit value of “Men For Others,” one of the five pillars of Jesuit education in its hundreds of schools throughout the world.