Publications & Sites 
Oak Brook teen helps fundraising effort at Benet Academy
Alex Romano
Updated: December 30, 2012 6:09AM
OAK BROOK — Alex Romano is excited about being involved in something new during his final year as a Benet Academy student. The senior from Oak Brook has been very active in student government since he first arrived as a freshman at the Catholic college prep school in Lisle. As head of the student government’s Special Events Committee, Romano has a very active role in the annual Benet Academy Christmas Drive, which raises funds to buy groceries and gifts for local families in need. The new twist this year is the 11 a.m. Dec. 9 5K for the Drive, which kicks off the Dec. 10-21 Christmas Drive.
Q. Along with the 5K for the Drive, what are some of the other fundraising activities for the Christmas Drive?
A. Benet students participate in a variety of fundraising activities, such as penny wars, guitar concerts, raffles, and a dress-down day. That’s when students pay to wear more comfortable clothing. We also have a holiday semi-formal, which is a big fundraiser. We do all kinds of other things, and a lot of them are just for fun.
Q. What’s the least traditional fundraising activity that has been done during the Christmas Drive?
A. One former teacher opened each window of his classroom and charged his students to close them. Students who enjoyed the cold would re-pay to open them back up, and bidding wars would ensue.
Q. Why did you get involved in student government and the Christmas Drive?
A. I really wanted to get involved in the school. Student government plays such a huge role at Benet, and getting involved looks great when you apply to colleges. I also wanted to give back. It’s important to help people. We’re so lucky to go to such a great school; we have to give back. It’s amazing to see what a big difference it can make. We raised more than $60,000 each of the past two years.
Q. You said you have enjoyed being involved in student government. Are you interested in politics?
A. I like politics, the way government works. I’m so blessed to live in the United States. I could see myself with a possible career in politics.
Q. Dress-down day has been one of the fundraising activities for the Christmas Drive. Why is your personal preference to dress up on a daily basis?
A. I don’t own a pair of jeans. It’s important to look nice; it’s the first thing people look at. It’s just the way I was brought up.
More information about the 5K for the Drive is available online at http://www.benet.org/?page=ChristmasDrive5K&hhSearchTerms=christmas+and+drive+and+5K.
