Walk and Bar-B-Q raises $42,906.48
September 28, 2009
The education walk and
bar-b-q that was held on Sept. 18th at North Platte High School
raised $42,906.48. These funds will help assure the continuation of
programs at North Platte Public Schools that are outside of the
schools’ budgets.
These events are organized by the North Platte Public Schools
Foundation. Corporate sponsors for the event were North Platte
Surgery Center, NebraskaLand National Bank, Sandhills Pediatric
Dentistry, North Platte OB/GYN, North Platte Alumni, Wal-mart,
First National Bank and Great Plains Regional Medical Center. First
National Bank and Great Plains Regional Medical Center were honored
at the event as five year corporate sponsors.
The walk for education started in 2004. This fifth effort resulted
in over 650 students pre-registered to participate. In addition to
the pre-registered walkers there were many organizations from North
Platte High School that volunteered to assist with the walk as well
as over 100 volunteers from the community. This family event was
graced with great weather this year after rain showers the previous
two years. Students that participated were able to ask for
sponsorship from friends and family and raise money for their
schools. Money raised at the schools was matched in part by these
sponsors: McPherron, Skiles & Loop CPAs, Hampton Inn, Kosmacek
Construction/Wilk Builders, Trego-Dugan Aviation/Snell Services,
Bob and Rosie McFarland, US Bank, Swan’s Furniture, NP Chamber
Hostesses, NP Dentists (Klemm, Phelps, Piper, Piper, Fermanski and
States), Dr. Mark and Francine McKenzie, State’s Family Practice,
Brad & Jill Belka/Drs. Todd and Tamara Hlavaty, and an
anonymous donor.
100% of the funds raised by the students will be returned to them
at their schools. Half of the funds collected by the students will
be returned directly to the schools for programs that they have
identified as priorities. The other half of the funds will return
to the students through additional REACH Grants that will be funded
due to the student efforts. REACH Grants are administered by the
North Platte Public Schools Foundation and fund innovative learning
outside of the school budget.
Top fundraiser for the student walk was Gracie Haneborg from
McDonald Elementary. She was rewarded for her efforts with a laptop
computer.
The top students by schools were:
Vanessa Smith –Osgood
Johnna Gifford—Adams Middle School
Bryce Langemeier—Jefferson
Mckayla Wee—Lake Maloney
Tracie Clair—Eisenhower
Kaylen Streeter—Cody
Jensen Hart—Madison Middle School
Cassidy Everett—Lincoln
Gabby Menghini—Washington
Kylee and Ashlynn Picquet—Buffalo
Miles and Mattie Morrell—Hall
All the top students received bonds. Organizations providing the
bonds this year include Super 8 Motel, Adams Bank & Trust, Bank
of the West, Well Fargo, Comfort Inn and Quality Inn &
Suites.
There were also drawing prizes like iPods and an additional laptop
that students won at the walk.
This year the organizing committee chose to add a new twist to the
event and added an enhanced tailgate event dubbed the ”Bulldog
Backyard Bar-B-Q”. Twenty-two teams participated in the first year
of this part of the event. More than 1,500 people came to the north
parking area by the football field and enjoyed the bar-b-q offered
by the teams. Competition was fierce for the awards.
Winners in the Bar-b-q were:
Beef—AJ Bar-B-Q
Pork and Chicken—Huskeradio
Other—NP Chamber Ambassadors
Fan Favorite—Class of 1992
The division winners were based on a panel of judges. The Fan
Favorite was voted on by contributions by the people in attendance.
This expanded tailgate was very well received with many teams
already pledging participation next year.
