NHS Annual School Supply Drive: An Inside Look with Senior, Kathryn Forge, '26

At Saint Thomas Aquinas, the first week of school carries a special tradition - one rooted in generosity and community. For the past 22 years, our National Honor Society has led the Back-to-School Supply Drive, inviting students to bring not only their own supplies, but also to share with others. Together, they’ve brightened the start of the school year for the students and teachers of Resurrection Catholic Grade School in Kansas City, Kansas, ensuring they have the tools to learn, grow, and thrive.

This year, National Honor Society member, senior Kathryn Forge, ‘26 facilitated the drive and shared her experience with us in a brief interview. *(In the above photo, Kathryn is pictured on the far right.)

Q&A with senior Kathryn Forge, '26, NHS member

Why did you choose to take on the School Supply Drive?
I applied to be the Chair of the School Supply Drive because equal opportunity is important to me and I have never done anything like this before. As Chair, I worked directly with the Student Council, Mr. Hallauer, NHS moderator, NHS members, and the freshmen teachers to make sure students got excited about the Drive and that it ran as smoothly as possible. Stuco did a fantastic job and worked hard in getting students to participate - they deserve a lot of credit for the success of the drive.

What does supporting the students & teachers of Resurrection mean to you?
Supporting the students and teachers at Resurrection is very important to me. Teachers work so hard and usually spend their own money for the classroom. I am glad we were able to provide them the items on their wish list because they are very deserving. The students should be able to go to school to simply learn, not have to worry about if they can get school supplies. They deserve a quality education.

I've been taught since I was young the importance of service. My dad has always told me, "Service above self".

Kathryn Forge

How does this service project align with the values taught at Saint Thomas Aquinas?
We are taught early on at Aquinas the value of service. This service project aligns with the cardinal virtues, with an emphasis on prudence and justice. Prudence: We should want to help the Resurrection, not just earn a class competition point or day off school. Justice: We are giving the students and teachers at Resurrection what they are due.

History of the NHS School Supply Drive
For 22 years, Saint Thomas Aquinas students have collected school supplies for a ‘sister’ grade school in the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas.

It started in 2003 with collecting supplies for students at All Saints School in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 2007, All Saints, Cathedral of St. Peter, and Holy Family grade schools consolidated, and Resurrection was formed to unite and "resurrect" them under one roof.

Since then, each year, Resurrection's teachers send Saint Thomas Aquinas a list of which supplies their students need most. NHS divides the supplies among classes and distributes the lists. 

Eventually, NHS and Student Council joined forces to make the school supply drive the first major class competition event of the year. Classes are given their supply goals they need to reach in order to earn a class competition point. The class that reaches their goals first, earns an extra class competition point. During the first full week of classes, NHS students gather, tally, pack and deliver the supplies to Resurrection school.

At Saint Thomas Aquinas, service is a call to live virtuously and love selflessly. Our students grow as servant leaders — compassionate, courageous, and committed to making a lasting impact in their communities and the world. 

A heartfelt thank you to our National Honor Society moderators, School Counselor, Mr. Matt Hallauer, LPC, NCC, and Mrs. Meredith Helus ’07, whose guidance and encouragement inspire our students to lead, serve, and grow.