High school rivalry benefits local charities

By RITA FARLOW
Published December 4, 2006

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A friendly competition between St. Petersburg Catholic High School and Clearwater Central Catholic High netted nearly 200,000 cans of food for local charities over the past few weeks.

The St. Petersburg school came out on top, but in the end it was the less fortunate that won.

"What they brought in should last us through the summer. Some things will run out, and we'll have to replace them, but whatever we don't have to spend on food, we can help people with the other things," said Jane Trocheck Walker, executive director for Daystar Life Center.

When St. Petersburg Catholic High School's drive ended on Nov. 16, students had amassed 133,663 items for the local charity that assists the poor.

That's an average of 189 cans for each of the school's 708 students.

"They were pretty much blown away, because the previous Monday we only had 65,000 cans. So we pretty much doubled our take in a five-day window," said Sue Brett, director of institutional development at St. Petersburg Catholic High.

For their efforts, the entire student body will be treated to an extra day off later in the school year, Brett said.

At Clearwater Central Catholic High, students collected more than 63,000 items for charity.

"We did pretty good; we doubled (the number) from last year," said senior Josh Paczynski, 17.

Brett said the students' success shows just how much teenagers can accomplish when they put their minds to something.

"If they're going to be able to do that in high school, think about what power these kids will have once they get to college and out into their respective communities," she said.