Starmont and Elkader Schools Partner to Support Student

Starmont and Elkader student councils recently joined together to spread encouragement and kindness for a young man facing an incredibly difficult journey.

Elkader School District reached out to the Starmont Student Council to collaborate on a video of support for Eli Belser, an Elkader student who is once again courageously fighting cancer. 

Eli was diagnosed with cancer as a preschooler and has a connection to Starmont.  In 2019-2020, when Starmont was collecting one million pop tabs to earn a visit from Carson King, Eli and his mom, Katie, arrived with a large container of tabs to donate. When Eli’s cancer returned a few years later, Starmont students helped lead a Pay It Forward effort that challenged surrounding schools to help support his family. Right now, Eli is in Philadelphia at Children’s Hospital, where he will be receiving treatment for approximately seven weeks. 

In response, Starmont students and staff came together to create a school-wide video featuring the song “Don’t Stop bELIevin’.” The video was created as a message of hope, strength, and encouragement for Eli and his family as he undergoes treatment.

The Starmont Student Council is now extending that spirit beyond its own district by challenging surrounding school districts and communities to create their own “Don’t Stop bELIevin’” videos to help lift Eli’s spirits and continue the chain of encouragement.

To further strengthen the connection between schools, Starmont Student Council members also visited Elkader during their lunch hour last Friday to help continue spreading support and unity. The collaboration highlights how small acts of kindness can grow into powerful community movements.

photo courtesy of Starmont