FRIENDS FAR and WIDE
Support the Poly Relief Fund
Reflecting the empathy and care of the Poly community, students around the world raised money to support those affected by the Southern California wildfires
The Poly Relief Fund received an outpouring of support that extended far beyond the local community. Three schools, separated by thousands of miles, came together in an extraordinary gesture of compassion.
Nirayama High School, located in Mishima, Japan, has shared a long-standing relationship with Poly through academic exchanges and PolyGlobal travel programs. Each year, Nirayama students visit Pasadena, engaging in science and ​​
Jackson F. and Drew F.
math collaborations.
with their Poly counterparts. PolyGlobal also visited Mishima this summer. Hearing the news of the fires, Nirayama’s student council and alumni association sprang into action to support those in need.
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Nirayama High School English Teacher Yuri Nishijima wrote a heartfelt letter expressing concern, announcing a generous $5,700 donation raised by the student council and alumni association. “We are grateful for your continued hospitality,” she wrote, “and wish to send our thoughts and support to your community.”
PolyGlobal Director Rick Caragher received the letter with gratitude, sharing that the tree planted to acknowledge the relationship between the two schools had recently sprouted beautiful green foliage—a symbol of friendship on Poly’s campus.
Meanwhile, across the United States, students in Reading, Massachusetts, were also inspired to take action. Rising fourth-grader Drew F. and ninth-grader Jackson F., cousins of a Poly student, inspired their school, Wood End Elementary, to organize a unique fundraiser: Coding for a Cause. This evening event invited families to explore coding and robotics, featuring the Reading Memorial High School Robotics Team, Code Whiz, and even a robotic police dog named Spot from the Massachusetts State Police. The brothers then held a snack and candy sale for Poly.
Flyers circulated in the Reading community captured the spirit of the initiative: “Community is a larger idea ... school to school, student to student, family to family.” Drew and Jackson added, “We were glad to help people in need. Hopefully, the little bit we were able to do made a difference.”
Whether across the Pacific or from coast to coast, Nirayama High School and the Reading public schools have reminded us all that compassion knows no borders. The Poly community is grateful for the support shown by others and hopes to deepen these meaningful relationships.