Lincoln Carpenter, a student member of the Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education, discussed the changes with board members Tuesday during his report to the board.

Penny Wars is a month-long fundraising competition organized by JHS Student Organization.

“This year we decided to have it directed toward a group fund instead of individual class funds,” Carpenter said. “It’s going to be one big fundraiser to help local families in Jamestown that are in need, specifically, that have children going to Jamestown High School. And it’s just more of a kind of approach at looking at the bigger picture, instead of just Jamestown High School.”

Each school year, students spend the holiday season raising money for a worthy cause in the month of December leading up to the last day before the holiday break. All pennies count as “positive” points and all silver and dollar bills count as “negative” points. Following the annual all-school assembly concert by the A Cappella Choir on the last day before the holiday break, the winning class is announced.

The Jamestown High School Madrigal Singers perform Tuesday at the Jamestown Public Schools Board of Education meeting. P-J photo by Michael Zabrodsky

The highlight of the event is the losing class advisers and presidents are either “slimed” or receive a “pie to the face.” Additional incentives for students to raise money have included principals, superintendents, and other staff members being “slimed” or receiving a “pie to the face” if certain fundraising levels are achieved.

Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker is OK with the new format.

“I think that this is a student-led process, student-led fundraising campaign, and students should be heavily involved in choosing exactly what they’re going to do with the money that they’re able to raise,” Whitaker said. “Whatever the students come up with I am in favor of.”

The board also heard a presentation by the JHS A Cappella Choir Madrigal Singers.

The choir is busy preparing for its 100th annual A Cappella Vespers on Sunday, and Saturday, Dec. 14 at 4 p.m. at First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St.

“These students take voice lessons outside of school,” Director Lauren Scharf said. “They are strong singers.”

One of the songs the Madrigal Singers performed Tuesday was “Carol of the Bells.”

The 58-voice A Cappella Choir features smaller ensembles, including the Madrigal Singers, Men of Tomorrow, and Ladies of Today. At the Vespers service, the choir will be accompanied on the piano by Julie Livengood and on the organ by Brian A. Bogey, the choir’s director emeritus and additional organ accompaniment from Gail Espinoza. Bogey and fellow director emeritus Norman D. Lydell, the choir’s director from 2003 to 2020, will also conduct the choir during the Dec. 14 alumni performance. The Madrigal Singers are also scheduled to perform at a number of holiday events across the Jamestown community.

“This is literally my favorite meeting of the year. … Thank you all for the joy you are going to bring to our community this (holiday) season. I wish you all the best,” Board President Paul Abbott said to Scharf and the Madrigal Singers.