CMS students go to ‘war? to assist Tsunami relief

Clarkston Middle Schools Student Council desperately wanted to help the victims of the Tsunami.
After doing extensive research, the students realized there were many victims of the Southeastern Tsunami without clothing, shelter and food. They decided to do something.
The entire student body at Clarkston Middle School formed a Penny War. The Penny War was between nine teams from all grades. The teams competed to see who could raise the most pennies. In order to increase thier chance of winnig, teams would pay attention to other teams? jars to see where they stand. If one team had a lot of pennies, the other teams would try to set them back by putting silver coins or paper money in their jar. The jars with the most pennies receive positive points while the jars with the most silver and paper receive negative points.
Tally boards were made to keep track of each teams donations. Students worked during and after school for a week to maintain the jars and boards. The winning team gets to choose a spirit day for the entire school.
Originally, the school set a goal for $2,000. That was quickly changed when members of Student Council realized how much people were willing to give. The students raised a total of $8,551.
With the help of World Vision, an organization assisting in the relief, the students will send all proceeds to families in need. Everyone at the school agrees their efforts will go a long way.
‘This money will help a lot of people,? said seventh grader Lacie Turnbull.
‘The kids were thrilled with their idea,? said student council advisor Jamie Rykse. ‘It was nice to see that this was the kids idea and not the teachers.?