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AMS raises money with Wii-a-Thon
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Games of "Just Dance" had AMS students and tournament players smiling and laughing.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Some of the Austintown Middle School eighth-graders who helped run the Nov. 17 first annual Wii-a-Thon for Charity gathered for a group picture before beginning to officiate games at the tournament.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Eighth-grade volunteers were always on hand on Nov. 17 to help out players and give pointers. Hunter Hykes (right) gave some instruction to Samantha Vickers (left) during a Wii Sports practice game.
By SARAH FOOR
Nearly a year ago, eighth-graders at Austintown Middle School learned the importance of giving by promising to “pay it forward” with small acts of kindness.
Since then, the focus on charity hasn’t waned for the eighth-graders and has transformed into a requirement for honors Language Arts students to donate service hours to local causes.
“The kids have been working at organizations they care about and have found through their work that along with manpower, what many facilities need is monetary donations. After pooling ideas for the best way to raise money, we came up with our Wii-a-Thon for charity,” explained Michelle Best, eighth-grade language arts teacher.
The first Wii-a-Thon welcomed 90 students along with their families and friends to the middle school on Nov. 17. Guests paid $3 to practice playing games of Mario Kart Racing, Wii Sports, Just Dance and Wipeout, or $5 to compete in tournaments in the game of their choice to win impressive prizes.
Money raised by the event will be donated to programs where Language Arts students are already giving their time, including Ronald McDonald House, Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, Angels for Animals, Cat Lady Society, Big Reach, Mario Lemieux Foundation and the Second Chance Cat Rescue.
Throughout nine rooms at AMS, laid-back practice play and intense tournament games offered fun for a good cause. Big ticket prizes, including four tickets to a Browns game, a day of paint ball and a standing basketball hoop.
However, for the students, the event was about offering support to causes they care about.
“It took all of us working together to make this night a success. I’m happy to see students become an important part of the community,” Best added.