SJHS Students Fight in a War for Charity

Submitted by tiffanie.miley on

Three students in Springville Junior High’s service learning class have found a way to turn fundraising into a competition. Ninth-grade students Savannah Bowers, Jehni McNeil, and Bianca Caraveo have started a project to help raise money for the Central Bank Angel Tree, which will help families in need during the holiday season. At lunch, the servicing learning students set up a table with a jar for each grade. Each penny that students donate will count as a point for their grade. Nickels, dimes, quarters, and bills of any quantity may be placed in opposing grade’s jars as negative points. Whichever grade has the most points on Thursday, December 16th wins a movie party in the auditorium.

According to Savannah, the idea for the “Penny Wars” came from Mr. Van Ausdal, the principal at SJHS. He had done something similar in his old school, and when he told the service learning class about it, they though it would be a great way to raise money for the angel tree.

“I think the penny wars will be successful, because everyone is trying to win a bigger amount.” said Jehni. Many students believe that the element of competition the “Penny Wars” provides makes it easier to be enthusiastic about donating.  But competition isn’t the only reason students want to donate. Many students genuinely want to help families in need. Devynn Shields, a ninth grader at Springville Junior High, said she donated because she “felt bad” about all the families who needed help during these difficult economic times.  Hopefully, the money raised from SJHS’s “Penny Wars” will be successful in providing a fun, competitive way to help others during this holiday season.

Attributions
Christopher Taylor, SJHS Staff Writer