Public dodgeball event slated

The spirit of friendly competition returns to Mountain Home High School next week during a community dodgeball tournament.

Open to local businesses, government and private organizations, civic groups and students, the event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. April 24 in Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium.

The entry fee is $10 for student teams and $20 for adult teams. Proceeds from the event will benefit the high school's senior celebration committee.

Continuing a tradition hosted by the parents of each graduating class since 1984, the event offers what organizers call an alcohol-free, drug-free, safe, sane and fun party the night of graduation. With just over five weeks left in the school year, parents representing this year's graduating class are seeking to raise about $20,000 to offset the costs associated with the scheduled activities, food and other expenses during the May 24 party.

The dodgeball competition follows a similar athletic event held April 10 in which members of the high school's basketball and wrestling teams met during this year's Carnage on the Courts. In addition to helping raise more than $1,000 for the celebration, the masters of the hardwood celebrated victory as they routed the wrestlers, 86-72.

The upcoming dodgeball tournament is part in a series of fundraising events held over the past several weeks by the senior celebration committee.

Senior celebration representatives will continue their fundraising efforts on Thursday, April 18, as they host a bake sale in conjunction with the high school's talent show, which begins at 7 p.m. that day in Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium. Those interested in providing single serving, individually wrapped baked goods are asked to drop them off at the high school library prior to the show.

Other fundraising activities include a car wash, which will run from 4 to 8 p.m. May 3 at Snappy Hot Wash on American Legion Boulevard. In addition, the committee plans to host a bake sale in conjunction with the Encore Company's upcoming theater production at the high school. The baked goods will be available starting at 6 p.m. May 9, 10 and 11 in the lobby outside of Lloyd Schiller Gymnasium.

Meanwhile, the celebration committee is hosting a series of raffles, featuring gifts donated by parents and local businesses. Among them include drawings for a .20 gauge Remington 870 Express Junior shotgun and a Hoyt Charger bow. Tickets are $10 each and limited to 200 for each weapon.

The drawings for both weapons are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. May 7 at the high school. For tickets and more information, call Tom Parkinson at 598-2058.

Committee representatives are also holding 50/50 drawings during various high school sporting events.

In 2012, approximately 130 students representing last year's graduating class attended the senior celebration. Many of them brought up to two guests to the party.

Senior celebration organizers continue to invite parents and others in the community to join their planning committee. For more information on this year's senior celebration fundraisers or to get involved, call committee president Lorena Ryan at 1-208-695-6677 or the high school at 587-2570.

People may also reach the group via e-mail at mhhs2013srcelebration@gmail.com. The committee will also post updates on its Facebook page at MHHS-2013-Sr-Celebration.