Senior Gray Schiller recently received $500.00 as a prize in a national video contest, which she gave to the Integrated Global Studies School (IGSS) in January of 2015.

Schiller entered a nationwide contest in December of 2014, in which she submitted a video she had made that detailed money saving tips.

“The whole video was talking about different ways people could save money, especially young kids,” described Schiller.

Schiller was notified that she received second place in January, and was rewarded with two cash prizes from the competition. One of the prizes was $500.00, which was meant to be gifted to New Trier.

Schiller decided to donate the money to the IGSS program specifically. “I think New Trier is very fortunate with all of our facilities and our equipment. IGSS has been my home for the past two years, and the money would definitely help us grow,” said Schiller.

The IGSS program is described as a school within a school, and the program’s autonomy and thematic curriculum provides more room for different methods of learning.

Students are encouraged to direct the path of their own education, whether it be in more traditional educational outlets or more creative ways.

This donation was extremely useful to IGSS, since specialty IGSS programs (such as guest speakers or workshops) are not funded directly through the school.

Jeff Markham, IGSS coordinator and English teacher, described what this money will help to fund, saying, “we have events, like our first semester presentation down in the student lounge. It’s for publicity, but also speakers, equipment, and publication. If we can bring in more speakers, and can get more equipment, then more of our goals can be achieved.”

Schiller added what she imagined the money would help cultivate, saying “We try to not teach just what’s in textbooks, so a big part for the money is trying to get things from the community, and for the community to come see us. We are trying to have enough to afford anything that’s not in a book.”

The programs and specialty speakers contribute to what makes IGSS different. “IGSS is more about natural and organic learning. We go on field trips, and some of those cost money. If you ever want materials to try some activity, you need a budget,” said Caroline Williams, junior in the IGSS program.

The donation by Schiller is a step towards what Markham and Schiller envision for what is next for IGSS. The program is still relatively young, and there is room for growth, both as a community and as an alternative path of education.

“IGSS has been here for about six years, and I think the more the community, both outside and within the school, finds out about IGSS, the more popular and supported it will become,” said Markham.

The IGSS students themselves have dreams for the IGSS program and what’s to come.

“More field trips would be something I’d like to see, if we had a bigger budget. We try to take two a semester, since it’s more hands-on learning,” said junior Ryan Westerberg.

Hands-on learning is important to many IGSS students. Emily McClellan, a senior in the IGSS program said, “I’d like to see IGSS pursue more outside of school excursions. While we do a lot of experiential learning, I think the best way to really learn is to get out into the world.”

Aside from field trips, speakers, and equipment, the program wants to see the general perception of IGSS change with a growth of budget and awareness.

“In general, I think awareness for IGSS needs to grow,” said Schiller. “We want to show that IGSS is not just a place where the ‘artistic’ kids learn. If we had a little more money to get different and newer equipment, we could broadcast ourselves to a wider range of kids.”