22 JULY 2017 ARCAD A NEWS By Rachael Bouley Market Day is a tradition at Arcadia High School. Every year, seniors participate in this economics project, which challenges them to develop a product and marketing plan to ultimately sell to their peers, an interactive lesson in business and hard work. With two lunch periods to set up their pop-up stores and sell as much product as possible, students are challenged to promote and market their product while exploring the concept of supply and demand. Competition drives students to work hard to make the most profit, which they are allowed to keep. This year, one group decided to step outside the box and take a more charitable route, allowing them to make a big difference for a grieving family. After receiving the assignment, senior Jake Walshire went home and chatted with his father, Phoenix Fire Captain Steve Walshire, about the possibility of making t-shirts, always a popular sell with students. “I immediately thought of some sort of product that involved the fire department, considering my dad has been a firefighter since I was born,” Jake said. “Growing up, I believed that being a firefighter was an awesome job.” Steve shared the story of Phoenix Fire Captain Chris Fitzmaurice, who passed away last November after an ATV accident, leaving behind a wife and four daughters. Jake was immediately inspired and decided to run with this idea, putting together a commemorative shirt to honor Fitzmaurice and donate all proceeds to his family. “Hearing my dad speak about Chris not only as a firefighter, but as a friend, father and husband really affected me on a personal level, having grown up in a firefighter family,” Jake said. “Firefighters have a special bond and are a very close-knit family that supports their members in times of need. I decided I was committed to making these shirts and doing my best to raise as much money as possible for the Fitzmaurice family.” Jake was initially concerned about finding a partner who would be willing to forego potential profits for a good cause, especially when most seniors want and need extra money before graduation and college. However, Con nor Den ning and Ryan Rightnowar were excited to join forces with Jake and put together a unique project that meant a lot to the community and local firefighters. Despite years of Market Day history, economics teachers had never encountered a group with an idea for a charitable fundraiser like this. The students didn’t let a few challenges stand in their way and they remained dedicated to their project. “The goal was, and always has been, to raise as much money as possible for the Fitzmaurice family,” Jake said. “I knew in my heart that no matter how difficult it may be to make this charity project happen, it was for something greater.” “A lot of kids wouldn’t have considered this idea to raise money for a charitable cause. It’s just a wonderful act of human kindness,” Steve said. Steve was even able to arrange for crews from Phoenix Fire Station 20, where Fitzmaurice was a captain, and Station 12 to stop by Arcadia High to help with the efforts. “I was very blessed to meet his crew members and hear all about Chris. The students loved talking to the firefighters and looking at the fire trucks, and even some of the teachers were fascinated by it all,” Jake said. “It was truly an awesome experience to have the crew members of those stations join us on Market Day.” All of their hard work was worth it, as they raised nearly $1,000 for the Fitzmaurice family. “I’m very blessed to have been given this opportunity to help Chris’s family in any way I can,” said Jake. High schoolers use class project to make a difference Arcadia High School seniors Jake Walshire, Ryan Rightnowar and Connor Denning turned a class project into a meaningful fundraiser for the family of fallen Phoenix Fire Captain Chris Fitzmaurice.

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