Raising funds to help Avonworth alumni Jamie and Ali McMutrie with their haitian orphanage are, from left, Avonworth students Lauren Harpst and Tony Bevan ,and chemistry teacher Jennifer Duker. Photo by Tom Steiner for The Citizen

Avonworth and Northgate students joined millions of Americans in holding fund-raisers for Haitian earthquake relief, with some activities beginning last week and others extending throughout the rest of the month.

Northgate's student council is hosting a Penny Wars competition to see which grade can raise the most money, with all of the proceeds going to the Haiti Relief Fund. The idea of the game has a penny getting one positive point. All other coins get negative points, corresponding with their value. Paper money is worth its value times 100 in negative points. The team with the most positive points wins.

English teacher Nicole Cetti, council sponsor, is in charge of the monetary portion of Northgate's contributions, and eighth grade social studies teacher Jane Majerac is organizing care packages to be sent to Haiti.

Teachers also will be chipping in by paying $10 for the privilege of a Northgate dress-down day.

Council member Emily Sybo, a junior, said, "Every year, the student council collects money for local charities, and because of this tragedy in Haiti, we decided that it would be the best place to send the money."

Avonworth's student council spearheaded efforts at the school with sponsors Tony Cario and Greg Wolfe assisted by chemistry teacher Jen Duker and multi-cultural instructor Kathy Lenski.

The efforts began almost spontaneously when the school heard of the plight of two grads, Ali (Class of 2006 ) and Jamie (1998) McMutrie, whose Haitian orphanage was damaged in the earthquake. Faculty members, staff and students donated to help with the relief fund, with all money directed to the BRESMA orphanage.

Tony Bevan, a junior, said, "I felt I had to step up and help my classmates and alumni in providing help to the orphans and the earthquake victims."

Working with Tony as leaders in the fund-raising were Lauren Harpst, Liz Grambo and several student council members.

Upcoming activities include bake sales and, at the middle school, $1 passes that students and teachers can buy to wear their favorite hat for a day.

Speaking in regard to the efforts being made in both schools, Avonworth principal Kenneth Lockette said, "It is incredible to see the students so enthusiastically accepting the challenge to help people in need."