Coffeehouse honors former teacher, raises $1,500 for metavivor cancer research

By: Annika Kunz

In a heartwarming display of community support, students gathered for SGA’s fifth annual Coffeehouse on Feb. 15, showcasing their unique talents while raising funds for METAvivor.

The event’s twofold purpose featured vocal, instrumental, and dance performances, and supported a cause close to the school's heart.

In 2019, English teacher Erin Leland lost her battle to breast cancer. Once diagnosed, Leland championed to bring more awareness to the disease and to organizations for cancer research, such as METAvivor, a non-profit organization dedicated to the specific fight of women and men living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer.

For the second consecutive year, Coffeehouse raised $1,500, according to SGA advisor Jonathan Illuzzi, all of which has been donated to METAvivor.

“We are humbled to raise such a significant contribution in honor of Ms. Leland and for such a meaningful cause,” Illuzzi said. “While I never had the pleasure of working with her, I am grateful to help continue an event that keeps her memory and spirit alive.”

Those who did work with her, including special education teacher Marcy Burkom and media specialist Dawn Currie-Scott, delivered a special dedication to Leland following several performances. 

“[She] knew that advocating for METAvivor would not benefit her directly, but she made the choice to advocate for all those who would benefit in the future,” Burkom said in her dedication.

While Burkom and Currie-Scott were the SGA advisors who oversaw the inaugural Coffeehouse in 2020, it was former Glenelg student Andrew Choe who first devised and organized the event. Choe made a special guest appearance to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Coffeehouse.

"She [Leland] had a heart for this school, just like you," remarked Choe who was a student of Leland’s when he was a freshman. Her impact on him in English class became the driving force behind the development and organization of Coffeehouse. 

He wanted to honor her “amazing and warming soul” and at the same time establish more awareness towards cancer and the benefits of early cancer screening. 

“She's the one who inspired me and many other students and faculty,” Choe said. “And her impact was felt by the entire school community.”

The journey to establish Coffeehouse was not without its challenges. Since its inception in March 2020, the event has grown exponentially, with the first gathering raising $1,000, and subsequent editions attracting even more participants and supporters.

“It is such a unique event, and one the SGA looks most forward to organizing each year,” Illuzzi said. “I am in awe of the students for using this platform to showcase their talents. And I’m proud they have been able to perform in front of a packed house for the past two years.” 

One of those performers included freshman Jay Roussillon, who covered Mitski’s Townie. 

“I really appreciate that Coffeehouse gave us the chance to get together and just have fun,” Roussillon said. “No matter which grade, which talent you perform, or if it is your first year at Glenelg, you are just one big community.” 

As the evening drew to a close, the sense of camaraderie and solidarity among students, staff, and community members was palpable. The success of the event underscored the power of collective action and the ability of individuals, regardless of grade, to effect meaningful change in the world.

With the legacy of Leland as inspiration, students vowed to continue their efforts in support of cancer research, ensuring that her memory lives on through acts of kindness, compassion, and advocacy for a cause that touched her life and the lives of so many others.