Norup International School Raises Thousands During May-hem Basketball Tournament

Norup International School hosted its annual May-hem 3-on-3 basketball tournament finals on May 17, 2024. May-hem is a building-wide fundraising initiative in support of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Jack’s Place for Autism. Students can enter the tournament with their team of three and compete in a March Madness bracket style competition. In year’s past, this event has been a March Miracles tournament held during the college basketball tournament month.

Over the years, March Miracles and May-hem have averaged over $10,000 in yearly donations. Over the last 23 years, donations have reached over $255,000. Funds are raised through tournament entry fees, sponsors, donors and concessions.

Students in the audience enjoyed cheering on their peers in skill competitions and in the basketball championships. The Norup pep-band kept the crowd engaged, too.

Retired teacher Corrine McCarthy and current Norup physical education teacher Tom Whinham started the program in 2000. Mr. Whinham shared, “I was training for an endurance skate race with a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society sponsored group known as Team in Training. The motivation for my involvement was then 4 year old patient Marissa Marzec. Marissa’s dad and I met at Benedictine High School, where we both taught and coached basketball.” In year’s past, Kids Kicking Cancer and the V Foundation have also received donations from the basketball tournament proceeds.