Class of 2026 Raises Money Through the Showing of Home Alone

 Riley Songer (9) handing money to Gretchen Leach (11) for a ticket to see Home Alone. Photo Credit: Caleb Bradshaw 

On December 10th, Junior Movie Night was held with the film Home Alone being played at five dollars a ticket and an offering of concessions at a variety of prices.  

The event was held by the graduating class of 2026 in hopes of raising money for their senior trip and other events.  “We don’t really have a price goal, we’re just looking for a big attendance that you know you walk in, and it feels like a theater, it feels friendly you want to be there. We’ll hopefully raise like at least 300 dollars that will help go towards prom,” explained Gretchen Leach (11), junior class vice president. 

In addition to Leach, the event was orchestrated by president Breigh Ragsdale (11), treasurer Cody Salmon (11), and class advisor Mr. Sunitsch.   

Sunitsch explained his role: “[I] help the class officers, president, vice president, secretary, treasury, just kind of guide them through. Fundraising is a big part of what we do.” 

Ragsdale and Leach started to work on this event months prior to the evening itself.  They worked with CHS administration to schedule the event and the venue; they completed cash box and activity request forms with the help of Ms. Osborn; they collaborated with the Leadership PR team, elementary and middle school administration, and used their own IG to promote the event; they created an announcement and promotional posters; they learned how to connect the video and sound in the commons; and they purchased food for concessions. 

“The attendance was likely not what the juniors had hoped; however, they learned a lot by putting on this event and the students who came had a great time,” said Leadership teacher Ms. Robison.  “I think they have laid the foundation for events like this in the future and am proud of the way they worked together to make this happen.” 

There are plans for the juniors to do this event again with different movies targeted towards high school students as the event went well. These events are important to help fund other bigger projects for the graduating class. Supporting events such as these will make the later projects better, so consider going and seeing a movie with a friend or two next time an event like this may be announced. 

The next big event that the Class of 2026 will host is prom.  “We already have The Sleeping Lady reserved,” explained Sunitsch.  Next year “we’ll do homecoming, but then I help them plan their senior trip, so once [they] guys graduate, [they’ll] go on a senior trip."