WSR tops Penny Drive for 3rd straight year

William S. Reyes Elementary School students are known for their moniker Kingfishers, but at the rate they’ve been winning the Division of Youth Service’s annual fundraising campaign, they might as well be called the Kings and Queens of the Penny Drive.

The Chalan Kanoa school won the government agency’s Penny Drive for the third straight year and yesterday was awarded the Penny Drive Perpetual Plaque on the occasion of the 6th grade promotional ceremony.

Penny Drive chairperson Mona Sablan gave kudos to WSR for again giving their maximum effort for this year’s fundraising campaign, which proceeds has been earmarked to help child abuse and child neglect victims, as well as children in foster care and shelters.

“They’re just so devoted to the Penny Drive. In fact, as soon as they turned in last year’s proceeds, they started their fundraising for the next year without even knowing what and who will be the recipients of the fundraising,” he said.

She added that the school’s teachers and administrators had a lot to do in involving the students in the Penny Drive by egging them and pushing them to fundraise for a cause.

WSR principal Alfred B. Ada said his school winning the award for a third year in a row reflects the Kingfishers’ commitment to helping the unfortunate.

“Wow, three years in a row. It’s really quite an accomplishment. This is actually a very meaningful award for me. I always envisioned that someday when I become a principal I would not only help students but also give back to my community,” he said. “This also reminds students that we’re all part of a bigger puzzle and that we’re not the entire world.”

In all, Sablan said the Penny Drive raised about $4,900.

WSR’s share of the campaign kitty bag totaled $1,290.43. A far second was San Antonio Elementary School, which wound up with $729.15. Third place went to Oleai Elementary School, which collected $685.34.

Other participating schools in the DYS Penny Drive were Saipan Southern High School, Chacha Junior High School, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Kagman Elementary School, Tanapag Elementary School, Tinian Junior High School, Rota Junior High School, and Seventh Day Adventist School. Marianas Visitors Authority also took part in the Penny Drive.