Schools

Lemont Fifth-Grader Wins Bank's 'Adopt-a-Classroom' Contest

Nick Swalec, 10, won a $200 gift card from Marquette Bank for his teacher to use toward classroom resources.

When students and teachers came back to class this fall in Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A, they were immediately confronted with the difficulties of having less funding and larger class sizes.

Field trips were cut, library time was reduced and some teachers were forced to spend money from their own pockets to keep up with classroom needs.

On Tuesday morning, however, one River Valley class was surprised with a generous gift from a local bank that will help fund some of those much-needed resources.

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Ten-year-old Nick Swalec, a fifth-grader at River Valley, was the winner of Marquette Bank's "Adopt-a-Classroom" drawing for a $200 MasterCard gift card. He was chosen after entering the contest with his grandmother, Phyillis Hardy, about three weeks ago at the bank's Lemont branch, located at 15730 127th St.

"This school district is suffering, as are many other districts in this state," Hardy said. "I was shocked and very happy Nick's class won because there is a great need for financial aid."

Find out what's happening in Lemontwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The "Adopt-a-Classroom" contest ran from July 12 to Sept. 18 at 26 Marquette Bank locations in the Chicagoland area. The program is part of the bank's Neighborhood Commitment initiative, which focuses on outreach in shelter, hunger, education and health/wellness throughout the year.

Marketing specialist Stephanie Moncada and Neighborhood Strategy Director Christie Cox presented the prize to Swalec's teacher, Renee Steffan, on behalf of Marquette Bank.

"I'd really like to thank the bank and the Swalec family for their generosity," said an emotional Steffan.

Since the teacher is able to decide how the gift card will be used, Steffan told her 33 students she would like to come up with something as a class.

The students cheered and applauded from their desks, and shouted suggestions like, "Television!" and "No school!"

Swalec, who was "excited" to have won the contest, said he was hoping for a pet turtle. Steffan said she would consider purchasing more books for the class, since time in the school library has been reduced.

"The money really does make such a big difference," said River Valley Principal Debra Lynch.

The outpouring of emotion was also felt by the Marquette Bank representatives.

"It's unbelievable," Moncada said. "This is the best part of my job, seeing how much people appreciate what we do. It's really rewarding."

Laura Swalec, Nick's mom, also attended the presentation and thanked Marquette Bank for their commitment to education.

"What keeps me up at night is what happens in this class and what's happening here in Lemont," she said. "It's something we have to come together and deal with, and it's inspiring to me what you have done for this class."

Swalec, a member of the group Citizens for District 113A, said it's been difficult for her and other parents to come to terms with the district's financial situation. Despite the circumstances, however, they remain focused on the kids and are grateful for any additional funding the schools receive, she said.

"The kids realize things are different this year and that the resources are completely stretched," she said. "To have [Nick] see how his class needed money and how the contest could help, I think that's pretty cool."


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