Tri-Valley students compete, raise money for veterans

Dec. 24--HEGINS -- Although their runs took a little more than a minute, Tri-Valley students Friday raised $10,000 in hopes of making a lifetime difference for Pennsylvania's wounded service members.

They got some help from Rep. Mike Tobash, R-125.

In the high school's second "Warrior's Challenge," 100 students bought T-shirts, sought sponsors and signed up to participate in the obstacle course event held in the gymnasium. Eight staff members also took the challenge. The rest of the student body watched and cheered on the contestants as they weaved their way through the course, pulling, lifting, jumping and maneuvering around the obstacles. Funds generated will be donated to the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc.

Tobash presented two citations to the district, one from the state House, and one from the Senate, on behalf of Sen. David G. Argall, R-29.

"The work you're doing here is as inspiring as anything I've seen people participate in," Tobash told the crowd. Tobash, a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, had attended last year's event, but this year, he decided to join in the competition, as well as contribute to the cause.

Teachers Ryan Wagner and Connie Wehry got the audience started, encouraging students to cheer for each other and fellow staff members, and thanking them for their support. Wehry said this is actually the third year the school has collected funds for veterans' groups, but the second year for the challenge. The first year, $500 was raised; the second year $7,500 was collected, a first for the challenge.

Once this year's final tally was nearly completed and had approached $9,500, Tobash told the district he'd contribute whatever was needed to get the donations over that $10,000 mark, Wehry said. She said collections would still be accepted through Jan. 13.

"Our area isn't unique, but we have a high level of patriotism throughout this region," Tobash said. "I do have an opportunity to travel throughout the state. When I see programs like they did Wreaths Across America the other day at Blue Mountain, I think it's a great program, and then an event like this. The idea that a small school, like Tri-Valley, would hope to raise a thousand dollars, and then last year raised $7,500, is really an amazing accomplishment and an indication of the commitment, patriotism and the sense of community spirit that areas like this and the place where I grew up have. I'm really proud of them."

"It was a little bit tougher and a little bit longer than I thought it was going to be. I was tired by the end, but it was a lot of fun," Tobash said after completing the course in 1:45.

High school Principal Charles Hall presented a check to Marsha Davis, a board member from Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc.

"It's truly amazing what they have done," Davis said after receiving the school's donation. "For being such a small school, people here seem to be so informed and are so aware of our veterans."

She told students they should look at themselves as heroes, and thanked them for their help. Davis said Pennsylvania has the fifth largest group of veterans in the United States, and that PA Wounded Warriors Inc. assisted 1,400 families last year.

According to the nonprofit's website at www.pawoundedwarriors.org, 95 percent of funds raised go to assist veterans with housing, utility, transportation and other expenses not covered by government programs. It serves all branches of the service and veterans from all eras. The late Maj. Gen. Gerald Sajer and his wife, Helen, founded the nonprofit in 2006.

Two students were named the top collectors this year: Autumn Connell with more than $2,300 and Willie Kimmel with more than $400. They each received $100, courtesy of Gratz Bank and BB&T Bank.

Obstacle course winners were in two categories, "soldiers," younger students or those who are not in school sports; and "warriors," those who are sports athletes. Sometimes, there weren't both male and female participants in each category. The following are a list of the winners, and their times: seventh grade, soldiers, Levi Murray and Kelten Sweigert tied at 1:24; Samantha Masser, 1:34; eighth grade, soldiers, Chase Herb, 1:06; Chaz Scheib, 1:19; ninth grade, soldiers, Courtney Bolger, 1:38; warriors, Kole Ney, 1:23; Maddy Rothermel, 1:28; 10th grade, soldiers, Cassandra Kane, 1:52; warriors, Wayne Reilley, 1:15; Emily McCormick, 1:30; 11th grade soldiers, Li Zhu, 1:34; warriors, Braxton Zerbe, 1:08; 12th grade soldiers, Colton Troup, 1:43; warriors, Maddie Horn, 1:16; and Bryon Rusinko, 1:13. The Senior High team, the Fab Four; and the Junior High team, the Fab Abs, won in the team competition, with the best overall times.

In the teacher's category, Justin Welker and Pam Ulicny were the top competitors with times of 1:25 and 1:50, respectively. Ulicny donned a wig and "Mrs. Claus" costume that she said her mother made.

"It was a good challenge. Carrying the football dummy was probably the toughest. It's heavier than you think," Ulicny said.

Some students wore costumes as they competed. Senior Alexa Romberger, 17, wore a blue "Hillary Clinton" pant-suit jacket, and carried an American flag; while her fellow teammates, Justin Zigmont and Blake Wolfgang dressed as Donald Trump and George Bush, respectively.

"It gets the underclassmen interested and it's a day where the whole school is together," she said.

Freshman Bryce Schwalm, 14, agreed.

"I did it last year. It's going for a good cause and is really fun to do," she said.

Junior Jake Masser dressed as "Captain America" for his run.

"I couldn't do it last year, because I had knee surgery," Masser, 17, of Klingerstown, said. "It is for a great cause and all of my friends do it, so I wanted to take advantage of that."

The event took a more somber note while organizers tallied contributions. The student body joined Matthew Mahoney on the gym floor to do 22 push-ups together. He had served with the Marines and launched a YouTube post, "Kill 22," raising awareness about post traumatic stress disorder and the loss, on average, of 22 veterans per day due to suicide.

"It's OK to not be OK," he said.

A few service members, who had students in the district, volunteered to oversee some of the obstacle course stations. Among them were Chad Richards, Valley View, and Army Maj. Don O'Prey, Pitman. Richards had served with the 3622 Maintenance Co., Ft. Indiantown Gap. O'Prey was mobilized as a team chief for joint training and exercises at NORAD-USNORTHCOM, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

"It's a great feeling and the amount of money raised is unbelievable," Richards said. "I think this is one of the best things our school's ever done."

The school's history department, student council and National Honor Society collaborated for the fundraiser. Students were encouraged to take photos of the day's events, and visit the NHS Twitter page, Wagner said, to promote the effort, and possibly inspire other schools to get involved in similar events.

For more information, visit www.pawoundedwarriors.org.

___

(c)2016 the Republican & Herald (Pottsville, Pa.)

Visit the Republican & Herald (Pottsville, Pa.) at republicanherald.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.