Student government members are coming up with new and creative ways to fundraise for their classes this semester.

Juniors hawk thunder sticks for Battle of the Birds

2012 Lowell Student Association members sold pairs of thunder sticks, inflatable noisemakers for sporting events, for $4 from Oct. 4 to Oct. 8 to encourage school spirit and fundraise for their senior year activities. “We brainstormed many other different types of merchandise and eventually decided on thunder sticks because they were something new, and we thought it would hold potential interest for our students,” junior public relations officer Nicole Gee said.

Students showed mixed responses to the thunder sticks. “Some people think they’re really cool and bought them on the first day,” Gee said. “Others thought they were annoying.”

Sophomore Max Vuong approved of the junior board’s new idea. “I bought them to support the school and to use at Battle of the Birds,” Vuong said.

The 2012 government board plans to continue selling thunder sticks for future sporting events, such as the basketball Battle of the Birds games, according to Gee.

The 2012 government board also sold chocolate chip and regular pancakes at $1 for two during the junior class meeting on Oct. 13. “We didn’t really come up with the idea on our own,” junior president Karissa Tom said. “Student Body Council dance coordinator Erin Ng was telling us about her dreams of having a picnic and we decided it was time for some wish-granting.”

When the meeting unexpectedly ended early, junior LSA members decided to move the pancake stand to the flagpole area. “That way we could get all the seniors coming from their class meeting. It was pretty successful!” Tom said.

Sophomores host Halloween boo-th bash

2013 LSA members plan to host a Halloween festival named “Ha-Lowell-Een Bash” after school on Friday from 4-6 p.m. Sophomore board members and 2013 Lowell Escape and Junior Prom committees are all participating in the booths. “We thought it would be a lot of fun to work together with the committees,” sophomore vice president Kayla Chui said. “Both Prom and Escape get to profit, and there’ll be more booths since it’s more than just the 2013 board. So technically, that’s a win, win, win!” The Ha-Lowell-Een Bash will include Halloween themed decorations, such as orange and black balloons, and themed booths. “For the 2013 board, we’re selling punch with dry ice, and we’re trying to find a cauldron to sell it in,” Chui said.

Coupon cards cut costs

Members from all LSA boards also sold $5 Macy’s coupon cards to fundraise for their individual classes. SBC members and 2011, 2012 and 2013 board members sold the coupon cards as part of a city-wide school fundraiser, according to sophomore treasurer Sarah Ma. “The five dollars that we get for each coupon go to our class,” Ma said. The coupons were donated by Macy’s and offered a 10 to 25 percent discount at Macy’s on Oct. 16 depending on the type of merchandise purchased.

Profits from all fundraisers will contribute to each class’s costly senior year activities, such as senior boat, senior prom, senior picnic and graduation. “The reality is all of these events are very costly,” Gee said. “I’m sure most of my fellow students do not realize the impact of not raising enough money. All the money goes back to our class in the end.”