Students participated in the annual penny drive, a charity fundraiser that generates money for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or the SPCA.

ASB provided every 6th period class with a plastic container, in which students of that class could donate pennies in order to raise money for the organization.

“The penny drive is a simply charity event that can generate a solid chunk of money for an organization of choice,” said ASB member and junior Leslie Zhang. “ASB raised over $700 last year through coins.”

The total number of pennies each class donated was added up by ASB, while coins of larger value were deducted from the total.

Students can sabotage other classes by putting higher value coins in their jar, thus decreasing the other class’ overall total.

Math teacher Michael Cincotta said, “I do not really participate in the drive, but my students try to. People always come in and put quarters in our jar. It’s not fair.”

Juniors Erica Peterson and Betsy Perkocha said that they sabotaged classes by putting quarters in other class’s containers.

Sophomore Nako Narter said that she also always has fun at the penny drive. “I love putting large amounts of quarters in other class’s jars. It’s so fun to mess with them because the other classes get really mad.”

Zhang said that competition engages students because it is a competitive game with a clear winner in the end.

Sophomore Sophie Nadler said, “I think the penny drive is a fun and helpful way to raise money for important organizations.”

Although students indulge in the fun of the competition, students recognize the serious, charitable motives for the Drive.

Junior Spencer Gutterman said, “I like animals and I like giving money to save the animals at the SPCA. I put some pennies in the jar because I know that even the smallest contribution will help the foundation.”

Narter said, “Sabotaging Mr. Cowherd’s penny jar: worth 75 cents. The feeling of saving helpless animals: priceless.”