BROWNSTOWN
Peggy Kovert was Brownstown Central High School’s Angel Tree sponsor and main influencer to ensure local kids have a good Christmas.
After the longtime teacher died unexpectedly Oct. 18, the school’s Jobs for America’s Graduates program was approached about inheriting the tree to continue Kovert’s tradition and its mission.
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JAG Specialist Desiree Steinkamp was happy to do so.
“After talking with students, we decided it was the perfect opportunity to give back, and it would be a true honor to carry on the longstanding efforts and impact of Mrs. Kovert,” she said.
The angels on the tree are anonymous and are for families in the Brownstown school district. The project started with 73 angels, and as of Tuesday, 40 were sponsored and 33 remained.
Students, staff and community members have until Dec. 17 to pick up an angel and return the requested gifts to the high school, 500 N. Elm St., Brownstown. Anyone in the community interested in helping may email [email protected] or call 812-358-3453.
The high school guidance department reached out to all of the schools in the corporation to identify families who are deserving of extra cheer and help this year, Steinkamp said.
Each angel lists the gender, age and a gift idea or need.
Steinkamp is hopeful the recipients will not only remember the gifts they receive but the love and support that was put into making this possible.
“I hope they remember this Christmas and recognize that our community in itself is a gift,” she said.
The donors will be impacted, too.
“There is just something about giving that cheers the heart, and I truly believe anyone that plays a role in this project will have a sense of joy knowing they have made the season just a little brighter for one of our angels,” Steinkamp said. “I am hopeful they have a sense of humble pride knowing that despite the chaos and challenge of the world right now that being a light for others also has the power to brighten one’s own life.”
Steinkamp applauds her students for leading the effort.
“It makes me truly proud to know that there are young adults not just willing but enthusiastic about helping the community,” she said. “It speaks volumes to their hearts that despite facing their own challenges, they are willing to lend a hand. I think it says a lot about what we can expect of them as they continue to grow into members of our larger community.”
JAG is a state-based national not-for-profit organization that assists high school students by helping them overcome academic challenges and earn their diploma. In Indiana, the program is funded through grants provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
BCHS has 25 students enrolled in the program, and Steinkamp anticipates more students enrolling in the program next trimester.
“Currently with the hybrid schedule, I see my students every other day,” she said. “We work on a variety of things in class, ranging from curriculum focused on career development, self-development and leadership, community service efforts, preparing for life after high school, engaging with community partners and guest speakers to competing in professional development contests.”
Junior Gracie Boles said when the Angel Tree project was brought up, she thought it was a great thing, especially for people who usually do not have a Christmas.
“I wanted to participate to help others, especially since it’s the giving time of the year,” she said.
She and the other students created the angel cards to place on the tree and are wrapping the presents as they come in.
“I think that it will make them happy and loved because they will have something to open up on Christmas Day and because others helped make that happen,” Boles said of the recipients.
Junior Bailey Davis said she’s going to sponsor a few of the angels herself.
“I hope this shows them that someone out there cares about them. I also want them to see that it is OK to ask for help. This has been a rough year for all of us,” she said. “I would love if someone would do that for my family if we were struggling. The little things can really change someone’s life.”
Davis said anyone who donates will get a sense of peace knowing they could have just bought a child’s only gift.
“I thought it was amazing that we were taking this over from Mrs. Kovert,” she said. “She really enjoyed this, and I’m glad we can keep her legacy going with this.”
Senior Ashley Teipen said the project is a perfect way to give to community members who are needing a little extra joy that might not otherwise have the chance to receive these gifts.
She, too, is sponsoring angels herself.
“I wanted to participate because it is a great way to show others the JAG family is caring and giving,” she said. “The impact I think the recipients of the angels have is the joy of the holiday spirit and hopefully getting what they wished for this Christmas. The impact it would make on the people who donate is they will feel they have given to the community and not just received gifts for themselves on Christmas Day.”
When students are engaged in efforts like this, Steinkamp said they are immersed in the style of project-based learning.
“They are garnering not just skills to allow them to excel in other classes, but they are actively gaining employability skills that will allow them to stand out in the workforce,” she said.
JAG students are challenged through projects like this by working in groups, being deadline-driven, performing task management and producing a positive result or outcome.
“This framework guides them to be prepared for after high school, no matter what route they choose upon graduation, whether that be enrollment in postsecondary education or trade schools, seeking direct employment or enlisting in the military,” she said.
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Students, staff and community members have until Dec. 17 to pick up an angel and return the requested gifts to Brownstown Central High School, 500 N. Elm St., Brownstown. Anyone in the community interested in helping may email [email protected] or call 812-358-3453.
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