Senior Evening With the Arts
The student council at Washington High School in Washington, MO, invited more than 400 senior citizens for an evening with the arts. Council members served desserts while several student musicians entertained the guests. During the dessert and coffee time, the guests viewed art displays and demonstrations by the art students. After that, they were treated to a special performance of the fall play “Lend Me a Tenor.”
Tailgate Party
The student council at Cactus High School in Glendale, AZ, organizes a tailgate party before a fall football game as a fundraiser. Students sell grilled hamburgers, chips, and soft drinks, and the event features a live band that appeals to both students and parents. To attract people who might not be interested otherwise, they have also featured a Nintendo tournament with a football-themed game. They set up televisions and video game systems outside using long extension cords. “This brought so many more people that normally wouldn’t come. They came just because they like Nintendo,” said John Kesler, student council member.
In the Bag
National Honor Society members at Barnum High School in Barnum, MN, devised a no-risk fundraiser that also built goodwill in the community. They contacted a local supermarket and arranged for chapter members to serve as grocery baggers during the busy holiday season. Students placed tip jars at each register and asked for contributions. “The majority of people contributed,” said Alea Redetzke, senior. “Many people are happy to have their groceries bagged, and with five or six people, we made an average of $100 per hour.”
Don’t Miss the Boat!
The student council at Portage High School in Portage, IN, organizes a unique fundraiser for students and faculty members by holding a cardboard boat regatta. Teams of two pay an entry fee of $15 and submit a registration form with parent signatures to enter a full-sized boat made only of cardboard and duct tape. Teams race across two laps of the pool, paddling with homemade oars made of anything—wood, frying pans, etc. A racing lane is two swimming lanes wide, so organizers run heats of three boats at a time. To keep the atmosphere lively, an emcee plays music during the race and keeps the crowd entertained between heats with raffles of donated movie tickets and gift certificates. Spectators pay $4 to attend the event.
Fun With Fitness
NJHS students at McCloskey Middle School in Uxbridge, MA, chose a fitness theme for their group service project. They broke up into teams and went to the aftercare programs at their local elementary and intermediate schools. There they led groups of students, ages 6–10, in active games (e.g., freeze tag, red light green light, kickball, hawk-and-chicks, soccer drills). NJHS students emphasized good sportsmanship and a growth mindset as much as movement. Students got together several times over three weeks and built relationships with the younger kids.
Jaguar Paws
To enhance school spirit and leave their mark on their new high school, NHS members at East Jessamine High School in Nicholasville, KY, sold Jaguar Paws that were painted on the walkway leading to the school’s entrance. Each paw print was painted with the student’s or faculty member’s name, year of graduation (if applicable), and sport decal or other activity symbol. Proceeds from the sale funded the group’s attendance at the state NHS convention.
Bowling for Wishes
The NHS chapter at Crestwood High School in Dearborn Heights, MI, planned a fundraising project to help the Michigan Association of Honor Societies (MAHS) charity of the year—the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Members planned a bowling outing for all 115 chapter members. Each member who wanted to attend was asked to raise at least $10 in pledges and pay a fee to go bowling. If they raised $25 or more, members could attend the outing and not pay for bowling. The night of the event, 60 members attended and the chapter raised almost $2,000!
Be a Lifesaver
The student council at Elsik High School in Houston, TX, declared a Life Saver Day, during which members passed out Life Saver bracelets to random students and staff to pass along to people who are their “lifesavers.” Made by taking string (in school colors) and needling it in and out of the wrapper of a mint Life Saver, these Life Saver bracelets were also made available in the cafeteria during lunch. An announcement was made in the morning announcing Life Saver Day, and all students and staff members were encouraged to thank their everyday lifesavers.