PCMS Students Collect Tabs for Ronald McDonald Houses

Fifth grade winners pictured with the eight cases holding their tabs include: (front from left) Erik Weibrecht, Samantha Gifford, Chanel Wahl, Tyler Busch, Austin Young, Blake Favier, Luke Brockey, Immanuel Weisbrod, Daniel Gaulding; (standing from left) Alex Mercer, Dillon Hacker, Ms. Robyn Valleroy, Jocelyn Erwin, Anna Torres, Shawn Schafer, Devon Brooks, Emilie Tarrillion, Veronica Morelan, Alysann Cooper, Amber Elder, Megan Elder, Ruby Stangl, Ms. Darlene Hudson ( McDonald’s Marketing Manager). Not pictured: Bobbie Jo Brown.

A friendly contest between the Perry County Middle School fifth and sixth graders was not only fun for the students but it ended up helping Ronald McDonald Houses across the country. The contest involved seeing who could collect the most soda tab which were then donated to the local McDonald's with the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald Houses. All total, the classes collected approximately 261 pounds of tabs. The winning fifth grade class was Robyn Valleroy's class, collecting a total of 39 pounds, and the sixth grade class winner was Jennifer Lauck's class, collecting a total of 38 pounds. Each class won a hamburger party provided by McDonald's.

The combined effort of the seven fifth grade classes brought in 132 pounds of soda tabs. "Our students were very excited about this service project," said Robyn Valleroy. "One student in my class brought in 20 pounds of tabs! Our class also created graphs to show the results for the fifth grade." The other fifth grade classrooms participating included: Ms. Lohmann's class with 25 pounds; Ms. Gattis' class with 24 pounds; Ms. Huber's class with 14 pounds; Ms. Buchheit's class with 14 pounds; Ms. Figge's class with 9 pounds; and Ms. Schilli's class with 7 pounds.

The sixth grade classes had a combined total of 129 pounds. Ms. Lauck's class led the way with 38 pounds, followed closely by Ms. Richardson's class with 37 pounds, and Ms. Bock class with 36.5 pounds. The other sixth grade classes participating were Ms. Sadler, Ms. Cox, Ms. Huskey and Ms. Walker, collecting a total of 17.5 pounds. "To fully understand the magnitude of this contest," said Mary Richardson, "you have to consider that it takes approximately 1,267 tabs to make one pound. That's about 330,687 tabs! This project was personal to our kids because some of our middle school students have had some very serious illnesses and this is a way they can help them. We are so proud of our kids and for their efforts to help with this worthwhile charity. "