Menominee Elementary School Back Row (l-r): Sarah Wacasey, Kaylee Hartz, Renee Green, Kalee Davidson, Brandon Wager, Forrest Baumgartner, Carson Hoover, Caleb Isom. Middle Row( l-r): Anna Hite, Autumn Wilson, Leena Tetzloff, Alice Frosenzier, Abby Kraszyk. Front Row (l-r): Jesus Jimeniz, Sarah Lamb, Brisa Arriaga, Garrett Tharp, Jennifer Maddox, Leah Smith, Whitney Frost, Samantha Payne, Laura Orozco. Washington Elementary School Back row: (l-r) Brenda Lewis, Social Worker, and Jennifer Maddox, United Way Executive Director. Middle row: (l-r) Kadin McCrammer, Trevor Pletcher, Brittany Culp, Shayla Noble, Jennah Nifong. Front row: (l-r) Karen Pacheco Mendoza, Julie Bachman, Gabby Ruiz-Licona.

12/17/09 - The student bodies of Menominee and Washington Elementary Schools recently raised $1,038.44 for the United Way of Marshall County with Penny Wars. The rules for Penny Wars vary from school to school.

For three days students at Menominee and Washington brought pennies to school and placed them in a jar. Each grade had its own jar. For the last two days of the week students then brought in silver coins (nickels, dimes and quarters) and placed them in a second jar of another grade. At the end of the second week, the value of the silver in one jar was subtracted from the value of the pennies in the other jar and the grade with the most money left was declared the winner. The 4th grade at Washington brought in the most pennies and also won the Penny War after they targeted the 2nd grade with their silver. They will have a pizza party soon in celebration. At Menominee the 1st grade brought in the most pennies, the 3rd grade raised the most money (pennies and silver combined), and the 4th grade won the Penny War. Menominee Principal Michael Dunn, Washington Principal Michele Riise, and Social Worker Brenda Lewis all helped sponsor the Penny Wars. Lewis praised Centier Bank for counting all the pennies and silver for the schools free of charge.

“There’s some strategy involved for the students,” said Lewis, who conducted the Penny Wars at both Menominee and Washington. Lewis has been conducting Penny Wars for years which she first started at Webster Elementary. She further commented, “I think it’s good to get the kids involved in their community. What they do makes a difference—even if it’s just a penny.”

Menominee students raised $721.72, and Washington students raised $316.72.

The United Way of Marshall County extends its sincere thanks to all the students for their outstanding contribution to the 2009 campaign.