Fort Mill, SC – Senior Chase Barrington-Hughes is making waves far beyond the waters of the Carolina Show Ski Team. For the second consecutive year, Barrington-Hughes has represented Fort Mill High School in the prestigious St. Jude Leadership Society (SJLS), a national program that recognizes high-performing high school students passionate about leadership, service, and community impact. This year he was the lone representative from Fort Mill High School.
Barrington-Hughes’ dedication to the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is evident in his fundraising achievements. Over the past two years, he made time alongside studies, work, the water ski team, and varsity lacrosse to raise more than $7000 for the hospital’s lifesaving work, ensuring that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
This year, the Charlotte Cohort of the St. Jude Leadership Society raised an impressive $92,000, showcasing the collective impact of local student leaders.
Barrington-Hughes and fellow cohort member Mason Bucciero, who attends Nation Ford High School, found creative ways to team up to raise funds for St. Jude. One standout initiative was Egg My Yard, where the duo sold Easter egg hunts and set them up in families’ yards the night before Easter. This inventive approach brought joy to local families while raising crucial support for St. Jude’s mission.
Last week, Barrington-Hughes took his commitment a step further by attending the St. Jude Next Gen Experience conference in Memphis for the second time, held at the historic Peabody Hotel. The event brought together young leaders from across the country to celebrate their achievements, deepen their understanding of the mission of St. Jude, and connect with peers and mentors.
The conference included campus tours, informational sessions, and panels from leaders, leadership workshops, and networking events, providing attendees with insights into the hospital’s groundbreaking research and patient care.
A highlight of the conference was Barrington-Hughes’ opportunity to meet Ike Anand, the newly appointed President and CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Anand’s leadership comes at a pivotal time, as St. Jude embarks on a $12.9 billion strategic plan to advance cures and treatments for childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases worldwide.
Barrington-Hughes’involvement with the St. Jude Leadership Society is about lifting others and making a lasting difference in the community. As Barrington-Hughes prepares for his final year at Fort Mill High School, his journey with St. Jude stands as a testament to the power of youth leadership and the profound impact one student can have on the world.“I encourage every high schooler to apply to the St. Jude Leadership Society, because it teaches leadership, fundraising, deepens your connection with the larger community, and provides an opportunity to look beyond yourself and what good you can put into the world. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people from our area and the country. I hope many more Fort Mill and Tega Cay high schoolers will get involved.”
Local high school students interested in joining the St. Jude Leadership Society can check in the fall for the application process to open on the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital website. https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/school-fundraising-ideas/high-school/leadership-society.html
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