Bismarck High School is a big, intimidating building.

“There are eight stairways!” says recent BHS graduate Lauren Sayler. “I was scared when I started at BHS.”

But thanks to Lauren and the rest of the members of Bismarck High’s Sources of Strength group, it’s become a little less scary for freshmen. One of the biggest projects Lauren was involved with was welcoming students to BHS and helping them find their way.

That’s not all Lauren accomplished during her time in the group. This spring, the group joined forces with other student groups at BHS to help a teacher’s family. Medical Related Careers teacher Heather Frey’s husband, Jason, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was immediately taken to Mayo Clinic for treatment. Heather went with him, leaving their three boys, ages 10, 6, and 4, home with family.

“Mrs. Frey has given so much to me. She’s a great teacher and an amazing person. Her family is amazing too and if there’s something I can do to help, I want to do it.”

So Lauren and her fellow students have stepped in to help the Frey family. They have been hanging out with the kids and raising money. The biggest fundraiser to date has been the school’s monthly “Cappachino for a Cause,” which brought in more than $1,200. Different groups at BHS do the monthly coffee fundraiser, but the most they’ve ever raised until now is about $300.

“It brings tears to my eyes. Our school is so good. It’s a big school, but it’s full of good and generous people.”