Moorestown High School students were seen hobbling across the gymnasium floor as part of potato sack races, and aiming high and low at the dunk tank, where staff members awaited to be submerged into icy-cool water.
On April 17, the MHS gym was not the only place where fun and carnival-like festivities had appeared to take over.
The cafeteria blasted with upbeat music, as student DJs played high-energy tunes throughout the day.
Wearing shirts of all colors of the rainbow, the whole school was tie-dyed by the Colors for Causes event, which took place for the third year in a row.
Though the event appeared to be all fun and games, there was a serious message, and some serious money being raised for local causes.
One of the senior officers for Colors for Causes this year, Bavica Gummadi, described why Moorestown as a whole became a focus for the school event.
“We went for Moorestown-related areas to give back to the larger Moorestown community,” Gummadi said. “This year, there was a real push to donate to Moorestown charities.”
Colors for Causes highlighted organizations such as the Moorestown Recreation Department, the Moorestown Library and the Emergency Squad.
“Colors for Causes became more about … let’s raise money outside of causes that are just for us,” Special Education and English teacher Michael Sullivan said.
Since January, weekly meetings were held with members of student government, teachers, administrators and class officers, who acted as liaisons to homerooms throughout grade levels.
“It has a different twist this year,” Barb Young, health and physical education teacher, said.
While the end of the year pep-rally-sort-of event has been about good deeds and togetherness in the past, it had never focused on helping local organizations.
“Because it’s only 3 years old, it’s definitely still a work in progress,” senior officer Nicole Wilson said. “Every year it’s been a charity event, and we do different fundraisers … this year is supposed to be more unified. It really is Moorestown giving back to the Moorestown community.”
Tickets for games such as the dunk tank and uniquely designed event-themed t-shirts were sold in preparation for Colors for Causes. Families of students and anyone interested also had the chance to donate money to the charities involved. Numerous local businesses not only donated funds, but also sponsored activities at the event.
Still, Colors for Causes was not just about learning, community service and donating to good causes. The event has a general theme added to it each year. This year, the theme was anti-bullying.
Instead of focusing on the negative meaning of bullying, Colors for Causes showed students the positives of treating each other in respectful ways.
“It’s a culture of kindness,” Sullivan said. “We call it anti-bullying, but it’s more about being respectful, and positive behavior.”
To help students grasp the concept of respecting each other, guest speaker Eric Martinez presented his “I Got Your Back” worldwide anti-bullying presentation before the games began in the gym.
Martinez has worked with the actor who played Michael Oher in the movie “The Blind Side,” and has many other life-coaching experiences. Martinez spoke to students about how giving back and appreciating each other goes hand in hand, not just during the event, but throughout life.
“The concept was Moorestown gives back … but at the same time, to show students how you treat people is important,” said Lisa Trapani, president of the Moorestown Education Association and MHS teacher.
“The piece with the anti-bullying is important. So is changing the culture within a school building, then bringing that positive change into the community,” Sullivan emphasized.
Before the color clash tradition began in 2012, the Colors for Causes event was known as “Wellness Day,” and students did not have a say in the activities presented. Teachers thought that involving the students more would increase participation and boost morale.
“One thing that’s evolved over time is that we’ve put more responsibility on the student advisors,” Sullivan said.
Young and others seemed to agree.
“Now it gives the kids more ownership … it’s come a long way,” Young said.
“The students … it’s really their event,” Trapani agreed.
The student advisors highlighted that the event bring together students from different grade levels, unlike a lot of other MHS events.
“There’s a lot of cross-grade involvement now,” Gummadi said.
Gummadi and Wilson mentioned that school unity is simply amplified by the seniors getting to remember Colors for Causes.
“It was something new that was started, and can now be carried on,” Wilson said.
Students and staff look forward to Colors for Causes each year, and know the challenge lies within how to expand the event to be even more influential each time around.
“Next year, we’ll go bigger,” Young said.
