Donuts, candy, shirts and fruit. All great things in moderation. However, all can be unbearable in extremes.

Unfortunately, at many schools, including Clover High School, extremes are what we are forced to face. Because of little or no funding from the school's budget, CHS clubs and organizations are forced to find an alternative solution to overcoming these financial obstacles.

The solution is findraising, which comes in the form of pushing candy sales, car washes and almost every other nickel-and-dime effort imaginable.

Throughout the 2003-2004 school year, 101 fundraisers will be carried out at CHS.

While these fundraisers will bring almost $125,000 to Clover High School, it will also bring boxes of candy, brochures full of merchandise, lost or stolen collection envelopes and an extra burden on the Clover community to participate in each of them.

“I’m sure that the people of the community are getting their doors knocked on more times than they would like to,” said Clover School Board of Trustees member Jeff Siegrist, “This is typical of such a small community like Clover.”

Ideally, students should not have to spend time pestering their teachers, parents and neighbors to raise money for their school activities. But with these budget cuts, fund-raising is needed now more than ever.

Because of the large number of fundraisers this year, many are questioning whether or not these activities have gone too far. Think there are too many CHS fundraisers?

“Think again,” responds principal Ron Wright, “Clover has taken a position that shows that its students want first-class activities. Fundraising must be looked at side-by-side to what it’s paying for, and then we should decide if we can accomplish our goals with anything less than what we’re doing. In many situations, this is just not possible, and so fundraising is a necessary evil.”

While Wright supports fundraising, he does feel that the number of fundraisers has met its limit. Most new fundraisers that are submitted are being turned down, unless they’re replacing old ones.

“There are many organizations at CHS. If every one of them has one fundraiser, that is still a fairly large number,” Siegrist said, “While a limit may be set, I don’t see the amount of fundraising that is taking place now lowering anytime soon.”

Club advisers have unanimously decided that while fundraising is somewhat of a hassle, it is essential to maintaining the clubs and organizations here at CHS.

“No, I don’t like to have members sell candy as fundraisers, but it is a necessary part of becoming a responsible business leader and is a must for a self-supporting club like FBLA,” said Leann Seay, FBLA adviser. “Students don’t always turn in their money on time, which is very frustrating. There are major benefits though. We usually make the money we need to participate in District, State, and National conferences.”

To help lift the burden off the Clover community, CHS is beginning to participate in fundraisers that do not take money from the community. For example, the Band Boosters work the concessions at the Panther’s games and host the Carolina Crown Drum Choir.

If CHS fundraisers disappear, so do many of its organizations, which also includes athletic programs. Students would also be held responsible for paying more out of their own pocket to become involved. With all the activities at CHS, this is too expensive for many students.

Cheerleaders, band members and football players are prime examples of activities with high individual expenses. Without fundraisers, it would cost each of them anywhere from $450 to $650 to be involved.

“The girls do a lot of fundraising because they need the money, of course,” said varsity cheerleading coach Pam White, “Everything that cheerleaders have to pay for has become more and more expensive. You have to pay for choreographers, gymnastics coaches and all the cheerleading accessories that go along with being a cheerleader.”

Parents are also trying to help support these activities by participating in booster clubs. Booster clubs are made up of parents and supporters who raise money to supplement the activities that are important to them and their children.

Many are taking their child’s candy fundraisers and brochures to their workplace, in hopes of selling these items to their coworkers.

While many fundraisers may seem like a burden to the community, others are actually anticipated every year.

CHS student council events, such as the Christmas Craft Show and the Miss CHS Pageant, are considerable successes in the area. Band fundraisers, like the annual Fish Fry or BBQ sale, are also very popular with the community.

The Christmas Craft Show is a popular event that allows local crafters to display and sell their items in the school gym. Profits from this event go straight to Student Council’s account and help to pay for District Rallies, Southern and State conferences.

“The money made from the Christmas Craft Show goes directly to Student Council because the only people who are charged are the crafters,” said CHS Student Council adviser Bobbie Mikeal, “Admission isn’t charged, so this doesn’t take any money away from the student body.”

The Miss CHS Pageant is a different story. Instead of fundraising, the expenses are paid by the admission fee that is charged.

Charging a fee, opposed to fundraising, is also becoming favorable. Students and parents are willing to pay smaller fees to avoid the hassles of fundraising. Membership dues, prom tickets and band camps are being paid for in this way.

The school budget is made up of a combination of money given from the state and from local property taxes. Funding isn’t expected to grow for the next two years, even with the growing number of students that attend CHS.

Alternatives to fundraising are being found, but there is no evidence that all fundraising will be eliminated.

“Every organization is unique and has its own needs, there is no other way to raise the money right now,” Seigrist said, “Each organization has a good reason to be there and a purpose. If the funds are being used for the right reasons, they shouldn’t be eliminated.”

The participation of students in fundraisers exemplifies the dedication that CHS has to its clubs, organizations and activities. The realization that if they can’t earn the money from fundraising, then they may not get what they need, is clear.

“It’s not fun at all,” said junior Curtis Summit, “But it’s definitely worth it.” By Melissa Rhodes

Editor-in-Chief

Donuts, candy, shirts and fruit. All great things in moderation. However, all can be unbearable in extremes.

Unfortunately, at many schools, including Clover High School, extremes are what we are forced to face.

Because of little or no funding from the school’s budget, CHS clubs and organizations are forced to find an alternative solution to overcoming these financial obstacles.

The solution is fundraising, which comes in the form of pushing candy sales, car washes and almost every other nickel-and-dime fundraising effort imaginable.

Throughout the 2003-2004 school year, 101 fundraisers will be carried out at CHS.

While these fundraisers will bring almost $125,000 to Clover High School, it will also bring boxes of candy, brochures full of merchandise, lost or stolen collection envelopes and an extra burden on the Clover community to participate in each of them.

“I’m sure that the people of the community are getting their doors knocked on more times than they would like to,” said Clover School Board of Trustees member Jeff Siegrist, “This is typical of such a small community like Clover.”

Ideally, students should not have to spend time pestering their teachers, parents and neighbors to raise money for their school activities. But with these budget cuts, fund-raising is needed now more than ever.

Because of the large number of fundraisers this year, many are questioning whether or not these activities have gone too far. Think there are too many CHS fundraisers?

“Think again,” responds principal Ron Wright, “Clover has taken a position that shows that its students want first-class activities. Fundraising must be looked at side-by-side to what it’s paying for, and then we should decide if we can accomplish our goals with anything less than what we’re doing. In many situations, this is just not possible, and so fundraising is a necessary evil.”

While Wright supports fundraising, he does feel that the number of fundraisers has met its limit. Most new fundraisers that are submitted are being turned down, unless they’re replacing old ones.

“There are many organizations at CHS. If every one of them has one fundraiser, that is still a fairly large number,” Siegrist said, “While a limit may be set, I don’t see the amount of fundraising that is taking place now lowering anytime soon.”

Club advisers have unanimously decided that while fundraising is somewhat of a hassle, it is essential to maintaining the clubs and organizations here at CHS.

“No, I don’t like to have members sell candy as fundraisers, but it is a necessary part of becoming a responsible business leader and is a must for a self-supporting club like FBLA,” said Leann Seay, FBLA adviser. “Students don’t always turn in their money on time, which is very frustrating. There are major benefits though. We usually make the money we need to participate in District, State, and National conferences.”

To help lift the burden off the Clover community, CHS is beginning to participate in fundraisers that do not take money from the community. For example, the Band Boosters work the concessions at the Panther’s games and host the Carolina Crown Drum Choir.

If CHS fundraisers disappear, so do many of its organizations, which also includes athletic programs. Students would also be held responsible for paying more out of their own pocket to become involved. With all the activities at CHS, this is too expensive for many students.

Cheerleaders, band members and football players are prime examples of activities with high individual expenses. Without fundraisers, it would cost each of them anywhere from $450 to $650 to be involved.

“The girls do a lot of fundraising because they need the money, of course,” said varsity cheerleading coach Pam White, “Everything that cheerleaders have to pay for has become more and more expensive. You have to pay for choreographers, gymnastics coaches and all the cheerleading accessories that go along with being a cheerleader.”

Parents are also trying to help support these activities by participating in booster clubs. Booster clubs are made up of parents and supporters who raise money to supplement the activities that are important to them and their children.

Many are taking their child’s candy fundraisers and brochures to their workplace, in hopes of selling these items to their coworkers.

While many fundraisers may seem like a burden to the community, others are actually anticipated every year.

CHS student council events, such as the Christmas Craft Show and the Miss CHS Pageant, are considerable successes in the area. Band fundraisers, like the annual Fish Fry or BBQ sale, are also very popular with the community.

The Christmas Craft Show is a popular event that allows local crafters to display and sell their items in the school gym. Profits from this event go straight to Student Council’s account and help to pay for District Rallies, Southern and State conferences.

“The money made from the Christmas Craft Show goes directly to Student Council because the only people who are charged are the crafters,” said CHS Student Council adviser Bobbie Mikeal, “Admission isn’t charged, so this doesn’t take any money away from the student body.”

The Miss CHS Pageant is a different story. Instead of fundraising, the expenses are paid by the admission fee that is charged.

Charging a fee, opposed to fundraising, is also becoming favorable. Students and parents are willing to pay smaller fees to avoid the hassles of fundraising. Membership dues, prom tickets and band camps are being paid for in this way.

The school budget is made up of a combination of money given from the state and from local property taxes. Funding isn’t expected to grow for the next two years, even with the growing number of students that attend CHS.

Alternatives to fundraising are being found, but there is no evidence that all fundraising will be eliminated.

“Every organization is unique and has its own needs, there is no other way to raise the money right now,” Seigrist said, “Each organization has a good reason to be there and a purpose. If the funds are being used for the right reasons, they shouldn’t be eliminated.”

The participation of students in fundraisers exemplifies the dedication that CHS has to its clubs, organizations and activities. The realization that if they can’t earn the money from fundraising, then they may not get what they need, is clear.

“It’s not fun at all,” said junior Curtis Summit, “But it’s definitely worth it.”

Think we fund-raise too much? Think again ...

Average individual cost to be a cheerleader: $615.00

Camp - 25

Camp clothes - 50

Competition fees - 147.00

Tumbling training – 30

Shoes – 51.00

Socks – 6.00

Ribbons – 6.00

Warm-up suits –100.00

Cost to field a competitive Cheerleading squad: $26000.00

Average individual student cost to be in marching band: $479.00

225.00 - Band camp fee

30.00 - Marching shoes

6.00 - White socks

30.00- Warm weather uniform

15.00 - Uniform t-shirt

10.00 - Show shirt

10.00 - Section shirt

3.00 - Gloves

15.00 - Uniform fee

Cost to use a blue eagle activity bus/van: .80 per mile plus 15.00 per hour drivers fee.

Cost for four officers and 1 sponsor to attend NHS conference in Columbia: $250

Transportation cost of marching band to attend one away ballgame: $360.00

Mileage @ 50 miles RT for 4 vehicles = 200

Drivers 4 vehicles – 160

Cost to outfit one football player: $540.00

Shoulder pads - 200

Helmet - 100

Uniform - 150

Shoes - 50

Misc pads - 40

Annual cost of transportation for athletics: $20,000.00