Last week at Padua, you might have seen a student slipping a five-dollar bill into a jar labeled ‘Freshmen,’ cunningly smiling. This student was participating in Penny Wars, a week-long competition across all grade levels to benefit Blue Gold, a club that aids disabled children. One penny adds one point to the class total, but every other denomination subtracts points accordingly. For example, a quarter would subtract 25 points from the total. The class with the most points in their jar by the end of the competition wins, likely to be a negative number, adds sophomore and Penny Wars committee chair Jordan Fischer. All the proceeds fund Blue Gold, and the winning class gets a dress down day.

“Penny Wars has been a huge success in the past,” says junior and Blue Gold member Alexandra Musial. As of Wednesday, the jars were not yet filled. Musial thinks this may be a strategy. “Some girls decide to bring in large bags of pennies at the end of their lunch on the last day to participate, which is Friday.” Whether or not there is method involved, it was undeniable that the jars are filling up fast. Penny Wars has, in the past, been a major source of funding, helping to finance the Downs Syndrome Christmas party, Blue Gold prom, and to pay for transport to Special Olympics events.

The competition was fierce by Friday, with just hours remaining to participate. “Honestly, I think the sophomores are going to win. They usually win larger competitions,” says junior Abby Vanderloo. Sophomore Kelsey Ehrlich disagrees, saying, “I think the seniors will win. They’ve been here the longest so they have all the strategies down.” As students scrambled to get money in, the strategy seemed to be to put high denominations in the jars of other classes. “Students always get pretty competitive for this event—I’ve even seen 10 dollar bills put into the jars,” says Fischer.

Students who participate are ultimately contributing to a cause helping many across the state. “It is important that we are able to contribute to the foundation and host these events that help those with intellectual disabilities to feel included and part of the community,” says Fischer. “The best way to help really is to stand up for anyone who may be getting put down because of their disability and to treat them all as you would treat anyone else.”