Leading the way

Members of Homer Middle School’s leadership council — Charlie Menke, Elan Carroll, Kira Hamilton and Halen Hernandez; Maya Jones is not pictured — prepare to deliver results of a school food drive to Homer Community Food Pantry. Between Feb. 21 and March 1, the school’s 180 students gathered 2,441 items. “The kids really rallied,” said Linda Rourke, who, along with HMS teacher Bonnie Jason and student teacher Rand Seaton, coaches the leadership team. “I think it was pretty amazing.” The effort was fueled by HMS staff member Brian Carper’s offer to let the participating students shave his head. That offer has expanded to include dying his hair before spring break and shaving his hair, beard included, after spring break. Margi Blanding’s class gathered the most items: 1,076.