Challenger Middle School Students Raise $2,732 for Shamrock Drive

Students, staff and inspiration Gladys Swensrud celebrate.

Student government members at Challenger Middle School in Mira Mesa have raised $2,732 this year for the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Shamrock Drive, inspired by a staff member who has muscular dystrophy. This brings to more than $12,000 the students have raised over the last six years.

The students are raising the money in the name of Gladys Swensrud, a retired staff member and longtime neighborhood resident who has MD.

"I stand in awe and am extremely grateful for the continued generosity and enthusiast support Challenger’s student body and staff have demonstrated for MDA through their Shamrock contributions,” said Swensrud.

The school creates competition between classrooms for the coveted green and gold shamrocks, which are placed in the class windows.

"Competition can become quite fierce between advisory classrooms as each class strives to have the best display of colorful shamrocks appearing in their classroom windows," said Principal Sheelagh Moran.
The fundraising effort also has educational value, she said.

"Students also learn about the organization and are inspired to help others in need," she said.

Challenger was the first middle school in the county to participate in the Shamrock Drive.

"MDA has been able to use Challenger Middle School as a successful example to inspire more San Diego area schools to join the Shamrock Drive," she said.

About the school

Challenger Middle School is located in Mira Mesa, north of Miramar Marine Corps Air Station. Our school is named in honor of the Challenger space shuttle. The memory of the Challenger crew serves as a role model for our multi-ethnic student population. The Challenger name captures the energy and the inspiration associated with our school’s commitment to success. We motivate students to go beyond their limits, have high expectations and touch the future.