(Adapted with permission from The Jaguar, Grover’s staff newsletter)

On November 4, teachers, students, and other members of the Grover family came together for a rocking fundraiser for WW-P Cares: Hurricane Helpers. Grover Rocks!, the first event of its kind, brought rock music to the TGMS stage.

The event was initiated by current 8th grader Raghav Mehrotra. Staff organizers included Mrs. Cohen, Mr. Delasandro, Mr. Kumor, Ms. Scupp, and Mr. Shaughnessy. Sixty-eight students volunteered to perform on stage and to help out behind the scenes. Atomic Snowman, a band comprised of former Grover students, returned for an alumni performance. Old School, the band formed by Grover teachers, performed five cover songs.

The bill was headlined by a band assembled by Raghav, who recently ended his run as an actor and drummer in the Broadway musical “School of Rock.” He and his fellow classmates from Princeton School of Rock played songs from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

The event raised $2,330 for the WW-P Cares cause. Combined with the chalk mural fund raiser from the first week of school, the school has thus far raised over $4,000 for victims of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.Raghav

The funds have not yet been sent to a specific charity. The next step is to choose a beneficiary of the fundraiser. Mr. Shaughnessy, who helped to organize both events says, “It’s important to have student voice in the decision for which charity to support. The district Volunteerism Committee has created a list of vetted, reputable hurricane charities. Next, we’d like to find out from the students where they think their efforts can have the greatest impact.”