Last school year, Hope Lutheran School’s 8th grade class transformed their classroom bee project into something far bigger than themselves: a mission of hope. What began as caring for a beehive on campus soon grew into a student-led initiative to help children battling childhood cancer. The class chose Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer as the recipient of 50% of their honey sales, hosted a Jersey Mike’s fundraiser, and even created handmade cards for children undergoing leukemia treatment. Their creativity, compassion, and generosity raised funds and awareness, but even more importantly, it showed what it means to live out faith through action.
Braden’s Hope has recognized these efforts with the inaugural 2025 Be Hope Award, celebrating the students’ commitment to bringing light into dark places. On Saturday, October 4, the Hope Lutheran 8th grade class of 2025 was represented at the Braden’s Hope Gala by Mrs. Roberta Schempp (science teacher), Mrs. Doris Stava (development coordinator), and Adrienne Poindexter, an alumna and Braden’s Hope Hero herself who inspired her classmates to dedicate their project to this cause. Together, they accepted the award on behalf of the class, while a special slideshow of photos and videos from the project highlighted the students’ journey
This recognition is not only a celebration of one class’s achievement, but also a reminder of how God works through young people to impact lives. As Mrs. Schempp reflected, “It is great for young people to see their efforts recognized and appreciated.”
Truly, Hope’s students turned honey into hope.