Students in Pat Shiemke’s seminar class at LaSalle High School, ranging from eighth to 12th grade, won the school’s competition to see which class could raise the most money for Asian tsunami relief in January. Pictured are students (front row, from left) Sunny Cole, Jamie Massey, Jesse Becker, Stephen Massaway, Kelly LaJoice; (back) John Paul Herbon, A.J. Miller, Erica Hershman, Melissa Brown, Erika Swirsky, Ashley Bosley (with a check to Americare from all three St. Ignace schools for $3,064), Pat Springsteen, Gabe Hughey, and Kody King. The raffle of a pet hedgehog, as well as several homework passes, put students in Pat Shiemke’s seminar in the top spot of a LaSalle High School contest to see which class could raise the most funds to benefit Asian tsunami relief in January. Mrs. Shiemke’s class raised $416.

All classes at St. Ignace Area Schools participated in the fundraising effort last month, surpassing their goal and raising $3,064 for relief efforts in the December 26 disaster. Students set a goal of $3,000 for the project, and raised money through coin drives, raffles, and contests. The school staff sent a check to the relief agency Americare Monday, February 21.

Schools across the Eastern Upper Peninsula participated in the fundraising challenge in January. Nearly $1,000 was raised by students at Les Cheneaux Community Schools in Cedarville, with $100 from Engadine Consolidated Schools, $332.59 from Moran Township School, and $880 from raffles at Mackinac Island Public School.