Katie Cronin '17, Gianna Mitchell '17 named to Teen Board at Ronald McDonald House

Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Katie Cronin ’17 and Gianna Mitchell ’17 are well known on campus as being athletic and bright.

Add caring and unselfish to the list.

Katie and Gianna have been selected to the Teen Board of the Ronald McDonald House of Springfield, which provides housing and care for families whose children are being treated at nearby hospitals.

Twenty-five high school students from Western Massachusetts serve on the board, which promotes awareness through fundraisers for the Ronald McDonald House and creates fun activities for the residents. The board meets once a month and each member must volunteer at least four hours per month.

Since being accepted in August, Katie has helped organize a carnival for the kids, and Gianna has participated at a car wash that raised money for families who are currently living at the house. Both spent time baking apple pies for the kids and families.

“The idea of giving back and helping these kids out, since they’re going through such a hard time in their life . . . just trying to make that a little easier for them to deal with what they’re going through,” Gianna said.

Katie’s family volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House last year, and while she was there a staff member told her about the Teen Board. Katie and Gianna decided to apply for the board, which required filling out the application, handing in two letters of recommendation, writing an essay, and a formal interview.

“It’s a good experience because I don’t see kids like that everyday,” Katie said. “I don’t see disabled kids too often. It’s sad. This gives me a chance to see a different side of life.”

Katie and Gianna have helped plan building scarecrows with the kids and hosting the Lupa Zoo in-house as upcoming events.

“It’s a great way to give back and get a great experience out of it,” Gianna said.