After everything Mr. Kaplan has done for our school including introducing the peer-leadership program, starting Challenge Day, and treating every young adult passing through the building as a uniquely talented and capable individual just to name a few, throwing a retirement party would not properly pay homage to the time and heart Mr. Kaplan has dedicated to North High. Mr. Kaplan, in fact, did not want any celebration to honor his legacy at the school but rather found more meaning in the day-to-day operations of greeting everyone in the halls, teaching a class, or playing guitar with students. Mr. Kaplan stated that he “does not have a legacy in the school,” but rather he “built on public education, allowing every child to have the education to become their best self and to give the gift of confidence to each and every student.” Junior Jade Pan said, “I first talked to Mr. Kaplan during Challenge Day. He shared his stories with us and listened to ours. I told him about my family and how I was new to the school. Ever since that day, he often checked on me to make sure I was doing okay. That’s what’s special about Mr. Kaplan: he cared about each one of us as equal human beings – not just some grades and standardized test scores.” The PTO was adamant on celebrating the great name and legacy Mr. Kaplan has carried on and created for North High. When thinking of an idea to celebrate his legacy, Mr. Kaplan remembered the Chicago General Hospital which services one of the most destitute and desperate communities in need of medical assistance. Despite the fact that many people were not able to pay for their healthcare, the hospital, with the help of many social activists, successfully treated the community. Therefore he came up with the idea of creating a fundraiser to help raise money for a cause very dear to him: cystic fibrosis, which his grandson was diagnosed with. After relaying this idea to the PTO, leaders Moji and Joyce worked with Mr. Kaplan to ultimately put together a walkathon that celebrates our high school in a way that saves our lives and pushes research forward for the treatment of the disease. The walkathon took place on Sunday May 21 and it attracted dozens of former and present students, teachers, friends, family, and members of the Great Neck community to honor all that Mr. Kaplan has done for the school and to raise money for cysticfibrosis. After a successful walk that raised over 10,000 dollars for cystic fibrosis research, other students such as Junior Kevin Li found it to be “a great experience. Mr. Kaplan did so much for our school and for the community and participating was just one small way to give back to him and his family”. Overall the walk was a great success! Junior Fernanda Wenzel added, “Everyone had an amazing time. I really felt that the walk fully encompassed the loving spirit of Great Neck North as everyone came together in full support of Mr. Kaplan. It was awesome to see so many students, parents, faculty, and administrators participating. A myriad of students to walk today mainly to show my support and love for what Mr. Kaplan has done for our school”. From open campus for all grades to a friendly vibe for all the students, Mr. Kaplan will truly be missed and appreciated. With the walk slated to become an annual event, Mr. Kaplan’s legacy at North will live on.