Over the years, Morgan has done many fundraisers for classes and clubs in the school. Some of these fundraisers include Powder Puff, tournaments, and selling class apparel. Each class has two class advisors and then a group of officers and representatives.
Most class fundraisers raise money for prom, and typically the venue has to be booked a year in advance. This means raising money freshman and especially sophomore year is very important. Math teacher Stephanie Davis recommends that “freshmen should try to do fundraisers that don’t cost a lot of money because when they come into Morgan they have very little money to start off with.” This year, the freshman class is focusing on their Rock, Paper, Scissors fundraiser. The class and their advisors are not too concerned because “they have time before they have to put own any deposits,” said freshman class advisor and special education teacher Abby Terreri.
There are a variety of fundraisers, but social studies teacher, co-junior class advisor, and Interact advisor Diana Rizzo said that “Sports tournaments like volleyball, dodgeball, and 3v3 games are typically very successful, and the junior class has had a success with them.” Many advisors also agree that class apparel fundraisers succeed, and they aren’t done that much anymore. Mrs. Davis, who used to be a class advisor, mentions that “Selling class apparel, especially in that class’s color, can be a great idea because for color war days because everyone will have something to wear.”
Clubs also hold fundraisers, for example, Spirit Squad raises money for Homecoming and also organizes it. A lot of the money that Spirit Squad raises “is put towards events for the students,” said Mrs. Davis. Student government, as a whole, also does some fundraisers, but “a lot of it goes to Random Acts of Kindness and other donations” mentions senior Leah Scoppa, Student government president. Last year, Leah helped organize a mental health walk, which turned out to be very successful. Mrs. Rizzo and biology teacher Mrs. Gilbert organized the Tommy Fund fundraiser, also known as the Hats for Hope fundraiser. Funds go to treatment for childhood cancer. The fundraiser took place on Friday, March 22nd and raised $447.50. The school that raises the most amount of money will win a special visit from the UConn Men’s Basketball Team.
There are successful fundraisers, including Powder Puff and sports tournaments, for both classes and clubs. Powder Puff is a popular, successful fundraiser. This past year, Powder Puff was the Sunday after Homecoming night to end off the fun Homecoming week. Typically, the fundraisers go towards a certain class but because no class chose to pick up this year, some of the money went towards the Costa Rica and Italy trips over April break.
Some fundraisers were not successful. This year, the sophomore class planned a spring fling dance that was originally supposed to be a winter formal. As the date approached, the students were not able to sell enough tickets for the dance, and it ended up getting canceled. “The Valentine’s flower fundraiser wasn’t too successful, but no money was lost,” explained Mrs. Davis. Over the years there have been other fundraisers that didn’t turn out great, such as the movie night fundraiser the juniors tried to do a few years back when not that many people came.
There are a few upcoming fundraisers such as the Swoosh For Change and the Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot Tournament. Swoosh for Change is a very popular event that usually has a big audience. Admission is only $5. The Rock, Paper, Scissors, Shoot tournament is during the school day on March 28 and Swoosh for Change is also that night. Student government also has a blanket fundraiser and might be planning some other events and fundraisers later this year. Spirit squad has a Competition Spring Spirit Week coming up on April 1st to April 5th.
