Mu Alpha Theta is an internationally recognized mathematics honor society. The adviser for the chapter at HAHS is Miss Heckman who started it at HAHS in 2018.
Every year for the past six years, excluding the year affected by Covid-19, Miss Heckman has held a Haitian jewelry fundraiser for Mu Alpha Theta. This fundraiser is through the Apparent Project, and they offer two different kinds of fundraisers. A person or organization could request a party box of items to sell, and they will send all of the funds back to the Apparent project. Others choose to sell the items and send some of the money back but also keep some to help run their organization. Since Miss Heckman has been doing this fundraiser long enough, the people at Apparent Project know her and she receives a special order. This just means that the items are more specific since Miss Heckman knows what is popular and what will sell in Hamburg. Every year in the fall she reaches out to Marilyn Monaghan through email to receive a box of items.
The Apparent Project helps raise money to support Haitian artisans. This money is used to fund children’s schooling, job training, and basic necessities to live. These artisans make a wide variety of ornaments, keychains, and jewelry. Their ornaments are made out of recycled oil drums, and their jewelry is made out of recycled cereal boxes. Most people would not be able to tell this because these pieces turn out to be so beautiful and unique.
Miss Heckman first heard about the Apparent Project and their mission through Jessica Harle, an artist from the Bethel area. Jessica spoke about her time spent in Haiti with Haitian artists and how much she learned from them. This movement really inspired Miss Heckman. She purchased jewelry then and continues to hold this fundraiser each year.
Typically, the money kept by Mu Alpha Theta is used to fund the activities of this group and to give back to community members who are going through medical challenges. When Mu Alpha Theta is aware of community members or HAHS members who are struggling with medical challenges, the club will donate $100 in gift cards to support these people. Since Mu Alpha Theta has been successful with fundraising over the years, this year they decided to put the money normally kept for the club into the Salvation Army for hurricane relief.
Giving back and being able to help is very rewarding, but Miss Heckman’s favorite part is sharing the uniqueness of these pieces and seeing people’s reactions. Most people do not expect the items to look the way that they do. They are all unique, creative, and amazing to look at. Miss Heckman also provides an opportunity for students to purchase items that will be announced.
The Haitian jewelry was offered to staff members at HAHS and HAMS and will be sold at the Redners in Hamburg on November 17 and 23. The jewelry is also sold to the women of Delta Kappa Gamma at the Moselem Springs Country Club.
Amelia Gassert is a senior and the President of Mu Alpha Theta this year. She really enjoys being a part of Mu Alpha Theta because it gives back to the community. It unites individuals who excel in mathematics and want to give back, which is very rewarding. Her favorite part about the Haitian jewelry fundraiser is seeing the joy on people’s faces when they purchase items that they give to friends or family. A lot of people use them as gifts around the holiday season, especially the ornaments.
For more information about the Apparent Project and its mission, please visit https://apparentproject.org/.
