Rosalia students collect 657 pounds of food

Rosalia students collected 657 pounds of non-perishable food in their food drive Dec. 3-7. Using Hunger Games as the theme for the second year in a row, the school divided into six different 'districts'.

Organizers Jenna and Ryan Schu and the Leadership Class aimed to have an equal number of students in each district.

District 1 included sixth, seventh and twelfth graders; District 2, fourth and fifth; District 3, second and third grades; District 4, eighth and eleventh graders; District 5, first and tenth graders; District 6, kindergartners and ninth graders.

Each district had to prove their worthiness to make it to the games. This was done by collecting more than 100 pounds of food.

District 5 won root beer float parties for bringing in the most food, 158 pounds.

District 1 brought in 109 pounds District 2, 151; District 3, 133.

Districts 4 and 6 failed to make it into the games after falling short of the 100 pound mark.

The games themselves included three instant elimination competitions: a partnered one-handed tissue pull, a pyramid cup stack relay and an individual balloon blow-the-cups-off-the-table.

District 2 teachers Brian Reid, the band teacher, stepped in for fifth grade teacher Jodi Heitstuman who was absent for the competition, and Steven Munson, the fourth grade teacher, won the competition and the trophy. Munson credits his lung capacity as a band teacher and instrumentalist to his success in the last competition.

Videos of all three competitions can be seen on the Rosalia HS Timberwolves Facebook page.

While the food drive is a long standing tradition in Rosalia set up with the Rosalia Giving Tree and Holiday Food Baskets, the 'Hunger Games' theme and activities are something put together by the Leadership class under Jennifer Olson which includes the Associated Student Body officers and various sophomores, juniors and seniors taking the class. The Leadership class plans high school events and student activities.

Sophomore Anthony Gehring took the lead in setting up the Hunger Games this year, in particular the competitions, which were very well received by the student body.

The food drive has had several different themes over the years. Olson feels there's a good chance the school will go with the 'Hunger Games' theme again next year due to this year's success.

Food collected through the food drive will be added to food purchased by the Rosalia Giving Tree and Holiday Food Baskets and then distributed to families in need within the school district's communities.