CHS Lights Up For Haiti

The darkness that usually encompasses Cranford High School at sundown was kept at bay on Friday with over 200 luminaries sold by students to raise $250 for Haiti relief.

After lighting the luminaries, students, teachers and administrators held hands for a moment of silence. The students then sang "Lord Bless You and Keep You," led by CHS music teacher Anthony Rafaniell, who conceived the event.

CHS interim principal Florence S. Senyk said the effort put forth by the students was a typical example of their generosity and spirit of service.

"It is inspirational and I just wish that more adults could witness all the good that all of our children do," Senyk said. "It reflects the way they've been raised and their value system."

Superintendent Gayle Carrick expressed pride in the student's display of generosity and caring for those in urgent need.

"I'm incredibly proud of their kindness and I do believe all of this comes from their hearts," Carrick said. "These students understand and care and I also believe they understand the depth of the need."

"I think the beauty of the luminaries is reflected in the beauty and the light in the heart of each student here," she added.

Kate McCann, a senior who helped sell the luminaries and brought flyers to try and get involvement from Cranford businesses, said its important to do more than provide financial assistance.

"I thought it was a really beautiful way to show our solidarity with Haiti," McCann said. "Its to show our hope and let them know they are still in our thoughts and we're not just writing a check and sending it away."

The event was also a great opportunity to quietly contemplate what the people in Haiti have been enduring, she said.

"We need to reflect on what people are going through," she said.

Jacqueline Chiari, a sophomore at CHS, said she enjoys being involved with humanitarian efforts and thought the Illuminate event was truly special.

"It just seemed like a beautiful way to show solidarity. We're keeping them in our prayers and in our thoughts," Chiari said. "There's a bigger world than just our tiny little town of Cranford."

Senior Kishan Shah believed the enormity of the disaster in Haiti to be incomprehensible and that people need to do whatever they can to help

"In Haiti, it really is a huge humanitarian crisis there, we really should show our support to our fellow man," Shan said.  "We just can't imagine what they are going through there."