Article: Penny Wars

Penny wars is an international competition usually between the schools grades. Schools all over the world do this to raise money for charities, natural disasters, and anything they feel are in need of. This year at SJHS we have decided to use our fundraising money for the people in Puerto Rico.

Mrs. Edman ,one of our spanish teachers, family lives in Puerto Rico and has lived there in the past, so this year's donation really hits home for her. “My family was fortunately spared by Hurricane Maria in that their homes suffered structural damage but were not completely destroyed. They were all safe.  The 50 days since Maria have been the most difficult.  They have spent a majority of that time without drinkable water or any running water, and without electricity.  Like most people on the island, clothes are washed in a nearby creek or river as well as bathing.  Expensive propane tanks and/or generators are now keeping homes and hospitals functioning. My elderly uncle Tony, who is only able to eat food in a pureed form, struggled the most right after Maria.  My aunt, without electricity, was not able to puree his food.  She was able to catch a flight two weeks after Maria and fly with Tony to Florida. Once he arrived in Florida, he was hospitalized and is now recuperating.  People are eating lots of canned food/non-perishables and building fire pits in their yards so they can cook.  Slowly, more and more people are getting electricity in their homes so they can cook a decent meal. My cousins that have small children have had their kids at home this entire time.  Very few children are able to return to school due to the lack of water and/or electricity in the schools.  The little kids think they are on some sort of weird vacation but the reality is that the Puerto Rican government is considering having school through the entire summer of 2018 or having students repeat the school year. Nearly all of the island's cell phone towers were destroyed so telephone communication was impossible for several weeks.  It was hard for mainland Puerto Ricans to not be able to communicate with the family on the island. Not knowing how the family in Puerto Rico was doing was the most agonizing time for me and my parents who live in California. Communication is now possible but it meant that children and teens on the island had to find new and varied ways to spend their time. The good news is that they had to learn to play board games, do puzzles, color, and play outside more than ever before.”

Michelle Pioquinto, a ninth grade girl, says that she really does enjoy penny wars. “It’s a fun way to raise money for a good cause.”

Penny wars is one of the best ways to donate money to a good cause. So if you haven’t already, DO IT!