Students and staff at Steinbrenner High School have banded together to help raise money for one of their own.
Mike Leist, a history teacher at Steinbrenner, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, last spring. His wife, Liz, is a math teacher at Steinbrenner. Their three daughters also attend the school.
The condition, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, affects the nervous system. It weakens the muscles and reduces functionality.
(Courtesy of Steinbrenner High School)
Slightly more than 6,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each year, according to the ALS Association. The average life expectancy of a person with ALS is two to five years from time of diagnosis, the association reports.
In an effort to aid Leist’s family and treatment, Steinbrenner High has organized a kickball game fundraiser, “Kick it for Leist.”
The event, set for Nov. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., will pit 20 students and 20 teachers against one another in a friendly game of kickball, at the school’s football stadium, 5575 West Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.
Optional donations will be collected at the door, and various clubs will be selling food and drinks to the entire student body. All proceeds raised will benefit Leist and his immediate family.
The event was the brainchild of Beverley Jarrett, an Advanced Placement psychology and social studies teacher, who works in the same department as Leist.
“It hit me really hard when Mike told me last spring,” Jarrett said, adding, “it dawned on me one day, ‘Why don’t we have an event?’
“I thought a kickball game would be funny between students and teachers,” Jarrett said.
There was immediate interest, from students and teachers.
“Faculty members were fighting, trying to get on the team,” she said. “When the word got out that we were having a faculty team, they came out of the woodwork.”
Meanwhile, students playing in the game were voted on by their peers, and represent each of the school’s four grade levels.
“The kids were so excited about trying to be on this team,” Jarrett said.
Jarrett noted both students and faculty have consistently rallied around the event, even purchasing “Kick it for Leist” T-shirts.
Nearly 500 shirts have been purchased, she said. Monies used to purchase the shirts also go into the fundraiser account.
“It’s been a whole Steinbrenner effort,” Jarrett said. “The faculty all wore the shirts one day last week, just to get the kids talking about ‘Kick it for Leist.’ The administrators were wearing them, and they never wear T-shirts.”
School officials describe Leist as a teacher who “carries a happy and positive energy with him every day.”
“He’s a formerly very athletic, active man,” Jarrett said.
Yet, she acknowledged that her colleague’s voice has gotten worse “almost by the week” due to ALS.
“His speech — that’s what being affected the most,” she said.
Jarrett, who has had family members affected by the disease, said Leist originally requested all proceeds to be donated to the ALS Association.
But, she persuaded him to allow the effort to benefit his family.
“It’s a tricky, tricky horrible disease,” Jarrett said. “There are so many costs that nobody thinks about.”
For any additional information, donations, or questions regarding the event, contact Steinbrenner High School at (813) 792-5131.
Published November 16, 2016
