“When one of us is affected, we’re all affected,” stated Principal Kyle Kersey. He is referring to one of Riverton Parke’s newest staff members, Rachael Killinger, and her ties to a devastated Louisiana community after Hurricane Ida earlier this month. Mrs. Killinger taught at Central Lafourche High School, one of three high schools in the Lafourche Parish School District, located in Mathews, Louisiana, before moving to Indiana and joining the RP staff this year. Riverton Parke’s National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society took the lead and raised nearly $400 last week with Hat Day, Pajama Day and Mardi Gras Day, complete with “King Cake” at lunch, to raise money for their fellow students and teachers who were victims of Hurricane Ida. The plan is to purchase items from Mrs. Killinger’s former school’s Amazon wish list to help get them back on track. Mrs. Killinger said, “Many students, colleagues, and friends suffered heavy damage to their homes and schools. Hurricane Ida made landfall in the southernmost part of Lafourche and many of its residents are still without power almost a month later. Several of the schools in this district and surrounding districts suffered structural damage and have been creating alternate plans for hosting students so the school year can resume. Several teachers have lost the entire contents of their classrooms and it is our hope that our contributions can help replace many items lost.”
Pictured with Mrs. Rachael Killinger are the National Honor Society Officers, from left, Ava Stutler, Jennica Sutton, Killinger, Makayla Cline, and Paige Blackburn.