Okla and the O House Drive

It is known by all that competition motivates and drives people to excel, and it is also known for bringing people together to achieve a common goal.  That phenomenon has been playing itself out in math teacher Kelly John Okla’s classroom this year, where generosity and friendly competition among his five math classes has raised so far 75.5 percent of the $3500 goal for funds to augment to O House giving drive. “Having students contribute so that our Samohi sisters and brothers, who may not be as fortunate as others, can have a shot at having what they need to live with joy and hopefully giving them a good start to the new year than they otherwise might have had…It leaves me inspired by my kids,” Okla said, noting that it is the generosity of his students and their parents that makes the success of the giving drive possible.For years, house principals and advisors have coordinated giving drives in their houses in order to help Samo families in need. House advisors ask families to provide them with a wishlist, and then house advisors solicit donations from other families in the house.  When Okla saw one of these wishlists seven years ago, he decided he needed to take action.“Some of the items that these families were asking for were just basic things. One boy asked for a blanket, and I thought to myself, what kind of kid doesn’t have a blanket? Those are just simple things,” Okla said. Okla didn’t have an end-goal in mind when he began the giving drive in his classes, he simply asked his students if they wanted to participate.“Somehow it just grew that first year to a very sizable amount. I think the spirit of giving just multiplied,” Okla said.Okla’s passion for giving back seems to be contagious as throughout the years, his students have enjoyed and recognized the importance of supporting those around them as well.“I think it really sparks the students to get something done for a good cause,” Melia Kaplan (’20) said.Okla remembers that in the first or second year of the drive, his classes raised $4600.At the onset of the each yearly drive, Okla and his classes set a goal of how much money they think they can raise. This year’s goal was set at $3500, and as of Dec. 14, together the classes have raised $2642.  On the whiteboard next to the homework assignments, Okla’s students have kept track of the contributions as a whole and by individual classes. Currently, his 5th period BC Calculus class leads the fundraising efforts with $1193.  “I just talk to the kids at the beginning of the drive about how I personally feel we are our sisters’ and brothers’ keepers and that the need to watch out for each other is and should be a human impulse. These are values I grew up with. I share them with my kids. It’s completely voluntary. Whomever wants to participate can. It’s not mandatory. I just share my feelings about giving and generosity and hope it strikes a chord in others,” Okla said.