Local Mom Is The Wright Kind Of Volunteer

When Stephanie Wright thumbs or clicks through photos that depict her children’s fondest memories, chances are that she will appear in many of them.

She was co-producer for her daughter Emmy’s production of “Honk Jr.” last spring and made costumes for her son Henry’s “Once Upon A Mattress” musical at Severna Park Middle School.

Those were just two projects she worked on while also serving as president of the PTA for Severna Park Elementary the last two years and vice president for one year prior.

“I grew up with a single, working mom, and I always wanted her to be there,” Wright said. “My kids probably think I’m there too much.”

Just as importantly, she has served on the board of Fight For Phoebe, honoring the legacy of Emmy’s close friend, Phoebe Jeong-Hui Ward, who died from hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in 2016 at the age of 9.

The third annual Fight For Phoebe Memorial Run is set for September 30. The course starts at Severna Park Elementary and runs along the B&A Trail. Registration begins at 7:00am, a competitive timed 5K starts at 8:00am and a fun run starts at 8:30am.

“Phoebe was just as much a part of our family as a blood relative, maybe even more so,” Wright said. “We want to raise money for HLH awareness, but I don’t ever want there to be a time when people don’t think of Phoebe as much as we do.”

Wright remembers Phoebe taking Emmy’s hand and leading her to kindergarten class. She remembers Phoebe and Emmy setting out in a kayak and collecting jellyfish in a bucket, unaware of the danger that awaited them if the bucket tipped over.

Last year, Severna Park Elementary started a Phoebe Friendship Award to honor a child at fifth-grade graduation. That’s one way Wright hopes people remember Phoebe.

“The teachers choose a kid who has shown the characteristics of someone who has been a good friend,” Wright said. “You don’t have to have the best grades, just be someone who is always kind.”

Wright will no longer be the PTA president at the elementary school since she’s moving on to other efforts. Now that Henry is a freshman and member of the vocal ensemble at Severna Park High School, Wright is eager to help with Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival.

She will also continue making costumes. “We beg, we borrow, we pilfer,” Wright said. “We alter tons of costumes from the high school. My kitchen is full of shirts and dresses I have to hem. You can’t alter something for a 10-year-old and give it back to the high school.”

Last year, she had help from several moms, including one who used to be a fashion designer. “They could take a $2 T-shirt and turn it into frogs, swans and geese,” she said.

Wright’s level of volunteerism wouldn’t be possible if she were not a stay-at-home mom, for which she credited her husband, Jason. As the school year gets underway, she’s excited for more opportunities to be involved with her children’s hobbies and to support Fight For Phoebe.

For more information, find “Fight For Phoebe” on Facebook or go to www.fightforphoebe.com.

“It’s just so bittersweet to see Emmy onstage in her play because Phoebe would have been right there with her,” Wright said. “Every milestone and event we enjoy with Emmy, it fills my heart, but it also hurts. Every happy moment is a little sad too.”