Talk about unsurprising news: Austin students are incredibly generous.

What is surprising however is just how much these students raised over the past school year. According to district officials, Austin students raised more than $22,000 in donations to local and international charities.

“It’s just an exciting thing for the school to be able to give back that way,” said Lisa Quednow-Bickler, Austin High School activities and athletics director.

Quednow-Bickler saw firsthand how many students from a wide range of activities raised money for good causes, whether it be National Honor Society students, who recently raised more than $2,000 for Habitats for Humanity, or a collective of AHS students that raised more than 12,000 pounds of food for local food shelves over the holidays, or DECA students raising money for local veterans, or even Woodson Kindergarten Center students who raised more than $1,100 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

“Our students have gained as much as the community has from our projects,” said Sharon Alms, NHS adviser. “It is making a difference. And providing a great example for our adults.”