Four kids wave Ukrainian flags

Alisa Yeremenko, Annika Kyyashko, Daniela Tyrpak, and Walter Killey (left to right) at their school fund-raiser in March

Courtesy of Ryan Gloyer Middle School

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We Stand With Ukraine

With their relatives living in a war zone, these students have found a way to help.

April 25, 2022
By Nicole Tocco

As You Read, Think About: How is a school in Pennsylvania helping to support kids in Ukraine?

We Stand with Ukraine
Watch a video to learn more about how some students are supporting refugees.

Alisa Yeremenko looked up. In front of her, a long line of her classmates waited to buy yellow-and-blue bracelets, sunflower pins, and magnets. It was all part of a fund-raiser at Ryan Gloyer Middle School in Harmony, Pennsylvania. The goal was to raise money for the people of Ukraine. 

On February 24, Russia invaded the country in Eastern Europe. In the next month, thousands of civilians and soldiers were killed. As Scholastic News went to press, as many as 10 million people had been forced to leave their homes.

“It’s just crazy there,” Alisa says. “Everything is bombed.”

To Alisa, Ukraine isn’t just a country in the news—it’s her homeland. The seventh-grader was born there and moved to the U.S. in 2020. Many of her friends and family are still in Ukraine, living in danger. 

Alisa Yeremenko looked up. In front of her, her classmates waited in a long line. They wanted to buy yellow-and-blue bracelets, sunflower pins, and magnets. It was all part of a fund-raiser at Ryan Gloyer Middle School. It’s her school in Harmony, Pennsylvania. The goal was to raise money for the people of Ukraine. 

On February 24, Russia invaded the country in Eastern Europe. In the next month, thousands of civilians and soldiers were killed. As Scholastic News went to press, as many as 10 million people had been forced to leave their homes.

“It’s just crazy there,” Alisa says. “Everything is bombed.”

To Alisa, Ukraine isn’t just a country in the news. It’s her homeland. The seventh-grader was born there. She moved to the U.S. in 2020. Many of her friends and family are still in Ukraine. They’re living in danger. 

Evgeniy Maloletka/AP Images 

A car burns near a hospital destroyed by Russian forces in Mariupol, Ukraine.

A Different World

In December, Alisa and her mother visited Ukraine. Alisa stayed with her grandparents in Mariupol, the port city where she grew up. She ate at her favorite restaurants and hung out with friends she missed. It was just like Alisa remembered. 

Today, Mariupol is very different. It has been one of the hardest-hit cities. After weeks of bombing, apartment buildings like the one where Alisa lived are piles of rubble. The city has been without food, water, or electricity for weeks.

“I didn’t know it was going to turn into a different world,” Alisa says.

More than 100,000 people are trapped in the war-torn city. Alisa hasn’t heard from her grandparents since March 1. Almost all communication to Mariupol is cut off, so there is no way to know if they are safe. But Alisa knows what she’ll say when she talks to them again.

“I love you and can’t wait until I can hug you,” she says.

In December, Alisa and her mother visited Ukraine. Alisa stayed with her grandparents in Mariupol. That’s the port city where she grew up. She ate at her favorite restaurants and hung out with friends she missed. It was just like Alisa remembered. 

Today, Mariupol is very different. It has been one of the hardest-hit cities. After weeks of bombing, apartment buildings like the one where Alisa lived are piles of rubble. The city has been without food, water, or electricity for weeks.

“I didn’t know it was going to turn into a different world,” Alisa says.

More than 100,000 people are trapped in the war-torn city. Alisa hasn’t heard from her grandparents since March 1. Almost all communication to Mariupol is cut off. There is no way to know if they are safe. But Alisa knows what she’ll say when she talks to them again.

“I love you and can’t wait until I can hug you,” she says.

Holding Out Hope

Alisa’s classmates Annika Kyyashko, Walter Killey, and Daniela Tyrpak know how she feels. Each has at least one parent who was born in Ukraine. And they all have family and friends there. The four students wanted to help. But what could they do from thousands of miles away? 

Last month, their principal, Anthony Babusci, came up with the idea for the fund-raiser. The students hoped to raise a few hundred dollars, but they pulled in more than $5,000. 

“It went beyond our expectations,” says Annika. “It was really nice to see that.”

The money will go to UNICEF, a group sending food, medicine, and supplies to kids in Ukraine. While they are happy to help, Alisa and her classmates just want the war to end. 

“My greatest hope is that the country will be restored,” Alisa says. “And that people can go back to their normal lives, with no more war.”

Alisa’s classmates Annika Kyyashko, Walter Killey, and Daniela Tyrpak know how she feels. Each has at least one parent who was born in Ukraine. And they all have family and friends there. The four students wanted to help. But what could they do from thousands of miles away?

Last month, their principal, Anthony Babusci, came up with the idea for the fund-raiser. The students hoped to raise a few hundred dollars. But they pulled in more than $5,000.

“It went beyond our expectations,” says Annika. “It was really nice to see that.”

The money will go to UNICEF. It’s a group sending food, medicine, and supplies to kids in Ukraine. While they are happy to help, Alisa and her classmates just want the war to end. 

“My greatest hope is that the country will be restored,” Alisa says. “And that people can go back to their normal lives, with no more war.”

What You Need to Know About...

The War in Ukraine

  • From 1922 to 1991, Ukraine and Russia were part of the same country, the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union split into 15 separate countries.
  • From 1922 to 1991, Ukraine and Russia were part of the same country, the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union split into 15 separate countries.

Kremlin Press Service/Handout/ Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Vladimir Putin
  • Vladimir Putin became the president of Russia in 2000. He has kept tight control over Russia’s government, jailing those who challenge his power.
  • Vladimir Putin became the president of Russia in 2000. He has kept tight control over Russia’s government, jailing those who challenge his power.

UKRINFORM/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Volodymyr Zelensky
  • In 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine. Since then, he has worked to become a closer ally with the U.S. This has angered Putin.   
  • In 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine. Since then, he has worked to become a closer ally with the U.S. This has angered Putin.   
  • Putin has said his goal is to “perform peacekeeping functions.” But experts believe he is trying to take over Ukraine  to help build Russia into a superpower like the Soviet Union once was.
  • Putin has said his goal is to “perform peacekeeping functions.” But experts believe he is trying to take over Ukraine  to help build Russia into a superpower like the Soviet Union once was.
  • Many world leaders have spoken out against the invasion. The U.S. is one of many nations sending weapons and aid to Ukraine.
  • Many world leaders have spoken out against the invasion. The U.S. is one of many nations sending weapons and aid to Ukraine.

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

  • About 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries as refugees. Those are people who are forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons.
  • About 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries as refugees. Those are people who are forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons.

What You Need to Know About...

The War in Ukraine

  • From 1922 to 1991, Ukraine and Russia were part of the same country, the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union split into 15 separate countries.
  • From 1922 to 1991, Ukraine and Russia were part of the same country, the Soviet Union. In 1991, the Soviet Union split into 15 separate countries.

Kremlin Press Service/Handout/ Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Vladimir Putin
  • Vladimir Putin became the president of Russia in 2000. He has kept tight control over Russia’s government, jailing those who challenge his power.
  • Vladimir Putin became the president of Russia in 2000. He has kept tight control over Russia’s government, jailing those who challenge his power.

UKRINFORM/Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

Volodymyr Zelensky
  • In 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine. Since then, he has worked to become a closer ally with the U.S. This has angered Putin.   
  • In 2019, Volodymyr Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine. Since then, he has worked to become a closer ally with the U.S. This has angered Putin.   
  • Putin has said his goal is to “perform peacekeeping functions.” But experts believe he is trying to take over Ukraine  to help build Russia into a superpower like the Soviet Union once was.
  • Putin has said his goal is to “perform peacekeeping functions.” But experts believe he is trying to take over Ukraine  to help build Russia into a superpower like the Soviet Union once was.
  • Many world leaders have spoken out against the invasion. The U.S. is one of many nations sending weapons and aid to Ukraine.
  • Many world leaders have spoken out against the invasion. The U.S. is one of many nations sending weapons and aid to Ukraine.

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

  • About 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries as refugees. Those are people who are forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons.
  • About 3.6 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries as refugees. Those are people who are forced to leave a country because of war or for religious or political reasons.
  1. The article says that “to Alisa, Ukraine isn’t just a country in the news.” What does this mean?
  2. How does the author support the idea that Mariupol is a city hit hard by the war?
  3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “The War in Ukraine”?
  1. The article says that “to Alisa, Ukraine isn’t just a country in the news.” What does this mean?
  2. How does the author support the idea that Mariupol is a city hit hard by the war?
  3. What is the purpose of the sidebar, “The War in Ukraine”?
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