As students dashed all over the school doused in colored powder, they raised almost $4,000 in donations. Principal Nickie Laney said Prevail’s first Color Run was a fun, engaging alternative to past fundraising efforts.
“In today’s economy, fundraising is difficult for schools in our demographic,” she said. “Thus, we wanted to come up with a new, creative way for scholars to raise funds for student incentives, staff recognition, and school improvement in a fun way that they could engage in, as the sale of overpriced goods that come along with normal fundraisers just don’t work here.”
Scholars ran around the perimeter of the building and along Cass Avenue, which made the event visible to passing cars to show their appreciation. The scholars’ laps were tracked, which motivated them to keep going and get even more color splashed on them.
Students had the option of running around the perimeter of the building where participants would be doused with colored powder or a fun run on the field that included an obstacle course. This approach ensured that students could chose the option that best fit their comfort level.
The event was accessible for all students and incentivized in a way that rewarded them for donating money, but they did not have to actually donate to participate. Scholars earned raffle tickets based on the amount of money they donated. One raffle ticket was earned for each $10 donated, and donations over $30 earned four raffle tickets and the ability to dress out of uniform for the remainder of the school year. Six scholars were chosen from the raffle and earned Lunch with Laney to a restaurant of their choosing with the principal.
“The students thought the Lunch with Laney was cool, however they were even more so enamored by the idea of dressing down the remainder of the year, especially our older scholars,” Laney said.
It was a joyous event, from elementary and middle school students to parent volunteers and staff. Next year’s Color Run should be even bigger and better at Prevail, which has outperformed the district for 16 years.
“The scholars had such an amazing time,” Laney said. “To see our middle schoolers engage in physical activity with huge smiles on their faces was priceless. They were running amok, getting doused with color, and having the best time. It’s hard to find an event that fits both kindergarteners and eighth graders, however this one definitely met the mark.”
Great job, Prevail!
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About Prevail Academy
Prevail Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Mount Clemens, Michigan, serving students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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