ARLINGTON — Monday, Nov. 5, marks the return of the annual food drive at Arlington High School.
Each year, the AHS Leadership class develops a theme and coordinates the collection of non-perishable food items and money for the Arlington Community Food Bank.
This year, to increase participation, the high school Leadership students have implemented a new focus and set of activities for the food drive.
This year’s theme is “Feed the Family,” and AHS Leadership students are asking each student at the high school to bring one food item for each member of his or her family.
The Leadership class has scheduled a series of activities requiring students to bring items or money to participate.
These activities include “Just Dance” and “Minute to Win It” competitions pitting students against school staff members.
This year will also mark the return of the familiar favorite, “Stop Mr. Ballew from Singing,” during which students must pay a certain amount of money, or bring in a certain number of items, to stop AHS English teacher Ben Ballew from singing and playing annoying songs.
In addition, the class has organized two “Blitz Nights,” during which students will go into Arlington neighborhoods to collect donations.
The AHS Leadership class food drive will run from Nov. 5 through Friday, Nov. 16.
The “Just Dance” competition and first “Blitz Night” will take place Friday, Nov. 9.
The “Minute to Win It” competition is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 13.
“Stop Mr. Ballew from Singing” and the second “Blitz Night” are both set for Thursday, Nov. 15.
“The AHS Leadership class and student body are primed, excited and ready to go,” said Andrea Conley, public information coordinator for the Arlington School District. “The spirit of servant leadership is alive and well at Arlington High School, and we expect the ‘Feed the Family’ food drive to be the most successful food drive ever.”