Students celebrate their effort raising funds for hurricane victims

MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer Career Center is better known for repairing automobiles than destroying them, but today the reverse was true.
The students and staff of the career center raised more than $1,400 for Hurricane Katrina victims, which exceeded their goal of $1,000.
As a reward for their efforts, students were treated to an outdoor party where they had the opportunity to test their strength with a sledgehammer on a wrecked vehicle. Also available was a huge slingshot where students took shots at hurling pumpkins in a distance contest. Students donated 50 cents to participate in either activity, and the additional money raised will be added to the original donation.
Channel One Network, an educational broadcasting system that is seen by participating schools nationwide, partnered with the career center to make the reality of "getting back to school" happen for those students who lost their schools to the hurricane. The relief initiative was dubbed "Operation Adopt-A-School."
Harrison Central High School, located in Gulfport, Miss., was assigned to the career center. Harrison Central houses students from 10th through 12th grade and has a school enrollment of around 1,600.
Hundreds of Channel One schools, including the career center, pledged more than $325,000 to help Harrison Central High School and other Southern schools in need.
"I am proud of the staff and students of the career center for their willingness and eagerness to participate in this initiative," said Larry Klemens, career center principal.