Former SPHS Seniors Donate Prom Funds To Pride Center

With unused funds left from a prom breakfast that was canceled due to the coronavirus, Severna Park High School’s class of 2020 decided to donate the funds to charity. All seniors were asked to nominate a charity. By an online vote, The Pride Center of Maryland was chosen as the recipient of the $1,000 check, which was given to the organization on August 5 outside of The Big Bean.

“Using a portion of our prom breakfast funds was important to our senior class because we are very fortunate so have such great resources and opportunities through our school that it was important that we gave back to the community, especially after the prom committee worked so hard to put on this event,” said Anna Marcoon, who is now attending Villanova University.

The Pride Center of Maryland’s mission is to be a catalyst for uniting and empowering sexual and gender minorities in Maryland. The group also provides community services such as informational speakers, family game nights, the Helping Hands Clothing Closet for clothing donations, and a free legal clinic for civil legal needs.

Although she voted for Parenting for a Different World, an organization her mom is active in, Caroline Smith was happy to see the funds go to The Pride Center.

“The fact that we are able to help support a positive impact in our community through our own high school events shows me how easy it is to do good,” Smith said.

Lena McLaughlin also chose a different charity but was happy with the result.

“I chose the Maryland Animal Sanctuary because I adopted two of my dogs from there and I have volunteered with the organization for several years, but I am very happy with the organization that was chosen to receive the funds,” said McLaughlin, who will attend Northeastern University this fall.

Runner-up charities were Baltimore Action Legal Team (BALT) and the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.

Students interested in volunteering with the Pride Center should contact pride coordinator LaKesha Davis at info@pridecentermd.org or Karen Remaley, Pride Center office administrator, at 410-777-8145.