As student Volleyball coach Essence Wilkerson encouraged her team from the sidelines, emcee Mrs. Medlock talked smack over the microphone. Teachers ran up on the students to add points to the scoreboard. From the stands, hyped students shouted, and student journalists shot photos. The game ended in a draw.

The students vs teachers’ Volleyball game was just one way that the Raider Reps’ raised funds for their service project of supporting the local Make-a-Wish foundation.

Elle Ceaser, 8th, coached the student team in the Basketball game.

“I got to tell them what to do instead of having to listen,” Elle said.

Laura Diaz Del Rio, 8th, played in the Basketball game.

“My favorite memory was when we huddled together and encouraged each other,” Laura said. “I felt motivated and excited to play.”

Jose Hernandez, 8th, felt that the teachers presented a big challenge to the students.

“The students tried their best to win, but the teachers had the best shots and won,” Jose said.

Other than sports games and a Pie-in-the-Face contest, the Raider Reps also held a Haunted Locker Room the same night as Student Council’s Halloween Dance.

“My favorite memory was when we set up the locker room and put our outfits together,” Maddison Winslow, 8th, said. “We used our creativity and imaginations to complete the set up.”

Jessica Nguyen, 8th, enjoyed screaming from inside the dog cage.

“It was pretty fun scaring people,” Jessica said.

Esmeralda Martinez, 8th, agreed.

“It was fun to see how people would react, like if they got scared or not,” Esmeralda said.

Jace Reinshmiedt, 8th, liked popping out at people.

“I jumped at this girl so aggressively, and she got scared so bad!” Jace said. “It was so funny!”

Melanie Ledesma, 7th, had fun seeing everybody in their costumes.

“Everybody was in their places scaring the people walking through the locker room,” Melanie said.

Mrs. Graham, co-sponsor, took pride in the students’ drive to volunteer, collaborate, plan, and participate in the events.

“They came up with the Haunted Locker Room scare ideas, considered the logistics of entry and movement through the locker room and advertised the event to their classmates for a great turnout,” Mrs. Graham said. “They gave up their time to collect money for students to attend the volleyball and basketball games and always led by example.”

Dr. Keyes, co-sponsor, observed how much the Raider Reps grew in their leadership qualities from the start to the end of the school year.

“We did an activity to see what the student’s leadership styles were, and by the end of the year, they were able to speak about their styles, what they wanted to grow in, and how they could work more effectively with other styles.

The Raider Reps raised a total of $1,755 and continued the tradition of presenting the money on air at the KTCS 99.9 radio station.

Essence got to be one of the three people speaking.

“It was an honor and a privilege, especially since it was my last year in Raider Reps,” Essence said.

Jace also got to speak.

“I can’t believe I spoke on 99.9!” Jace said.

Esmeralda just simply enjoyed being there.

“It felt good knowing that I helped donate money for a good cause, the Make-a-Wish foundation,” Esmeralda said.

Jessica enjoyed how the radio station was decorated.

“It looked super cool and welcoming,” Jessica said.

Laura valued the warm welcome the Raider Reps experienced.

“It really showed me how appreciated our work was,” Laura said.

Miley Le, 8th, loved getting to meet a little kid who received a trip thanks to Make-a-Wish.

“It really warmed my heart,” Miley said.

The students realized the importance of raising money for the local Make-a-Wish foundation.

“There are kids growing up in this same town who are sick, and we are fortunate to be healthy, so it wouldn’t hurt anything to help those in need,” Maddison said.

Fernanda Garcia, 7th, believed that the Raider Reps’ service project is an important way to help families.

“The money helps parents afford surgeries and treatment for their kids to get well,” Fernanda said.

Essence liked getting to help.

“Helping kids make their wishes come true and doing the right thing is always nice,” Essence said.