Switzerland County High School principal Derek Marshall is a big supporter of Riley Childrens Hospital in Indianapolis; and he supports the Switzerland County High School student council in its efforts to raise money for Riley each year.
But with all that the kids do, Derek Marshall kept thinking that more could be done.
Since Riley Childrens Hospital is a statewide initiative for high school student councils in Indiana; Derek Marshall knew that other schools in the area were also raising money — so he decided to throw a little competition into the mix.
That’s when he began planning for a competition involving all of the schools in the Ohio River Valley Conference, as well as the Southeastern Career Center in Versailles.
His plan: through a competition involving all of the schools, hit a goal of raising $25,000 for the hospital.
“I’d like to see the conference put a feather in its cap and come together and do something besides athletics,” Derek Marshall said last Thursday at a breakfast at the Career Center announcing the challenge. “Kids love to compete, and what better project could we have than raising money for Riley? I’m excited about it.”
Derek Marshall said that there are approximately 3,229 students in ORVC high schools, and in order to hit the target number, it will take an average donation of $7.75 per student. Some of the principals at Thursday’s meeting said that they expect their fundraising to be corporation-wide and include elementary and junior high schools — so it’s very possible that the goal will be topped.
In the competition, the school that raises the most money will receive a large banner that they can hang in their school for the year; and a plaque will also be given to the school for permanent display.
Donations are being accepted through the end of February, with March 10th being designated as the “count day” for the funds.
Anyone in Switzerland County who would like to make a donation to Riley Childrens Hospital and help the local school system at the same time can take their donation to the high school office anytime during the school day.