Friday, Jan. 21, 2005

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Tsunami benefit raises nearly $800

Christina Ulbrich performs Pachebel’s Canon at the benefit for the victims of the tsunami at McIntosh High School on Wednesday. Photo/Michael Boylan. ___________________________

By MICHAEL BOYLAN
mboylan@TheCitizenNews.com

Let no one be concerned about the hearts of America’s youth.

Nearly 60 students and family members filled the library at McIntosh High School Wednesday afternoon for a benefit to aid the victims of the tsunami. The event was spearheaded by senior Katrina Albright, president of the Young Democrats, Thespians and the film society at the school. Albright is an employee at Domino’s Pizza and when she found out that they would match an employee’s donation to the American Red Cross she and her friends began collecting money and putting a benefit event together.

Other groups at the school were eager to join the event and help out including the school’s drama club, the Young Republicans, National Art Honor Society, Voices and the school’s environmental club. The benefit started at 4:30 p.m. and featured musical performances, dramatic scenes and monologues, an art auction and a dance number from Albright’s brother, Nathan, and his friend, Andreus Roffler. There was a $1 cover charge, a myriad of baked goods for sale in the lobby and a good feeling of helping out that spread throughout the crowd.

The students at McIntosh had collected $350 before the doors for the benefit had even opened and finished last night with a tally of $791.02, which means that when Domino’s matches the donation it will come close to $1,600. The school’s Interact Club has also pledged to combine the money they have raised with Albright’s group meaning that when all is said and done the amount may exceed $2,000.

Albright, who plans to attend New York University in the fall and study film, was quick to hand off praise to all of her friends who helped get the event off the ground, including Voices editor Alyssa Anderson, who used her love of public relations and spread the word about the event. Albright also wished to thank faculty members Sharon Kling and Valerie DeGregorio for sponsoring the project.

“Every little bit helps,” remarked one student before the show got going and one can only hope that that message stays with the students for many years to come.