Kaiden Odle

Give a Penny, a Nickel, or Dollar!

Rocky Mountain High School kicked off its Hoops for Hunger campaign this week, rallying students around a cause that feels especially close to home: helping classmates pay off their lunch balances and reducing schoolwide lunch debt. For many students, this initiative is not just about raising money. It is about making sure every member of the Rocky community feels supported. Over the next two weeks, students and staff will team up to collect donations, with every contribution, no matter the size, going directly toward assisting families within the school.

The campaign’s opening event is Penny Wars, which launched on February 9 and is generating buzz in the hallways. Buckets labeled for each grade level will be stationed in the four corners of the school, turning everyday passing periods into opportunities for friendly competition. Students are encouraged to drop in spare change, strategize with classmates, and keep an eye on the leaderboard as totals rise and fall.

The rules are simple:

• Pennies = +1 point
• Nickels = +5 points
• Putting $1 in another grade’s bucket = -100 points

With sabotage built into the system, students are already plotting ways to boost their own grade while knocking others down. Carson Young, a freshman at our school said, “I know just what to do.” As he had 20, one-dollar bills, “I will sabotage every other grade so the freshman will win.” The grade with the highest point total at the end of the competition will earn a prize, which organizers say will be announced soon. The mystery is only adding to the excitement.

“This is one of those fundraisers where everyone can get involved,” said Jaiden Hanratty, a freshman. “Even a single penny helps, and it all goes toward supporting students right here at Rocky.” Hanratty said she is looking forward to seeing how competitive his classmates get and how much the school can raise when everyone pitches in.

Penny Wars is only the beginning. Additional Hoops for Hunger activities will roll out throughout the coming weeks, each one designed to build momentum and keep students engaged. The campaign will culminate in a districtwide challenge, where schools compete to raise the most money. If Rocky finishes among the top fundraisers, students will earn the chance to send representatives to a special basketball game for the Golden Fork, a trophy awarded to the district’s top performing school.

With school spirit rising, buckets ready to fill, and a cause that resonates across grade levels, Rocky Mountain High is aiming high, not just for points but for meaningful impact. As Hanratty put it, “Every donation makes a real difference.”