Grossmont High School Raises Funds for Cancer-Stricken Teacher With Carnival

Students, staff and community members gathered at Grossmont High School on Saturday to raise funds for a teacher battling skin cancer.

Although social studies teacher Michael Smith could not attend “Super Smith Saturday,” he thanked attendees for their support from home.

“I really appreciate all of your hard work,” said Smith on the phone. His wife, Andrea Smith, held up her cell phone to a microphone so others could hear. “I am very blessed to have a wonderful family, friends and school community. I’m feeling stronger every day, but now I need to rest, so I can be back.”

The carnival fundraiser was organized by best friends and Grossmont High School seniors, Jamie Marcus and Sharyce Bailey, in an effort to raise $10,000 for Smith’s treatment and travel expenses.

“We love Mr. Smith,” said Marcus. “He is the best teacher ever!”

Marcus and Bailey received support from the GHS Education Foundation, staff members and other students to organize the event, which took place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bailey, who has taken Smith’s classes for three years, said he encouraged her to get involved in her school’s Associated Student Body.

“He inspired me to do what I want to do,” she said. “He pushed me and made sure that if I ever needed somebody to lean on, I had him by my side. He’s a person you can go to.”

Many attendees were from Northmont Elementary School, where Andrea Smith works as a kindergarten teacher.

“We love the whole family, and we want to be as supportive as we can through this crazy time,” said Heather Davis, whose 6-year-old is in Andrea Smith’s class. “They give so much to the community,” Davis said. “I think it’s a really great thing that everyone is coming here to help the family.”

The fundraiser included inflatable bounce houses, booths, a dunk tank and more. Organizers raised funds by selling carnival tickets and silent auctioning items.

At one booth, attendees could make a card to send to Smith.

“This shows that we care about our school and our teachers,” said sophomore Stan Lundeen, one of the booth organizers.

Bailey said the school community is “like a family.”

“To hear that he was sick impacted all of us,” she said. “Everyone is like a family, and we’re here to support one person to show that we’ve got his back.”