Innovation Academy @ RIS Students Raise Money for Marshall County Relay For Life

Innovation Academy @ RIS Students Raise Money for Marshall County Relay For Life

Innovation Academy @ RIS Students Raise Money for Marshall County Relay For Life
By Plymouth High School Student Garrett Schrameyer


The Marshall County Relay For Life is a community-based event that raises funds for the American Cancer Society. This year’s local Relay For Life event took place on June 17, 2017, for 12 straight hours, at the River Park Square in Plymouth. The funds raised at this annual event benefit cancer patients and their families who live in the Marshall County area.

This is the fifth year Riverside Intermediate School has raised money for the Marshall County Relay For Life. Last year, learners raised $5,000. “Our goal this year was to raise $10,000, but meeting an exact dollar amount isn’t necessarily our main focus; instead, it’s showing collaborative support across our school to help raise as much money as we can to help fight cancer,” said Principal Jeni Hirschy.

Close to a dozen fundraisers held throughout the school year were organized by Project Based Learning sixth-grade learners who attend Innovation Academy @ Riverside. Sixth Grade Facilitator Zane Cooper said, “Learners started planning fundraising events last August when the school year began. First, they brainstormed possibilities, then they met with Riverside administrators for approval to proceed. Next, they created flyers, commercials, and videos for their school announcements to help spread the news among their peers.”

Some of the events the learners planned are as follows:

  • Two Movie Night Events (Riverside Cafeteria and Riverside Gymnasium)
  • Escape Room Fundraiser (Riverside PBL Rooms)
  • Basketball Tournament (Riverside Gymnasium)
  • Dress-Up Week (All School)
  • Read-In Day (All School)
  • Lock-In Day: Rocket Night (All School)
  • A School Dance (Riverside Gymnasium)


“This year-round project gives our PBL learners an opportunity to be event planners and oversee all of their fundraising events for a great cause. We are very proud of their efforts,” said Hirschy.

“This whole experience provides a service-learning opportunity for our learners that they will always remember. This year, the learners met their fundraising goal and we couldn’t be more proud that they accomplished this truly on their own, with our staff cheering them on the entire time,” said Cooper.

This is the first year Riverside learners organized a team for their school to walk in the Marshall County Relay For Life event. RIS learners and staff enjoyed being able to participate in the relay so much, they hope a team is planned by next year’s class of PBL sixth-graders who will be leading fundraising for the sixth year.
 

Innovation Academy @ RIS students at Relay For Life.

 

Innovation Academy @ RIS students at Relay For Life.

 

Innovation Academy @ RIS students at Relay For Life.