FCA Class of 2024 Sells Double Good Popcorn and Krispy Kreme For Senior Dues
Interview and photo by Paris Murray.
November 6, 2023. Here at Friendship Collegiate Academy, we had a fundraiser for senior dues. Senior dues include anything from prom, graduation, or caps and gowns. I had the pleasure of interviewing Senorita Wallace, one of the staff members in charge of the fundraiser. I got an exclusive inside look into how the fundraiser works and why we should all buy a box!
Paris: Could you go a bit more in depth about the fundraiser?
Wallace: I'm very excited to lead the seniors in our first two fundraisers of this year. For the first one we sold Double Good popcorn. The fundraiser spanned four days and we received 50% of the proceeds. Each scholar could sign up for their store and send a text out to group chats or to family members and friends. In order to purchase various popcorn packages, all of the popcorn was delivered directly to the supporters, so it was really quick and easy. Students were able to earn 50% of whatever they raised for their senior dues—like a class trip, or even a prom ticket. Krispy Kreme is similar, some of the proceeds will go to them. Students make 50% from every box of donuts that are sold and it goes towards their senior accounts. Those sales are running between now and October 16th. On October 20th, students or parents will be able to pick their purchases up from the first floor.
Paris: What made you specifically pick popcorn and Krispy Kreme donuts to sell?
Wallace: I looked for fundraisers that would allow seniors to make a profit. Double Good popcorn gives you 50% of whatever you sell. So let's say our top seller sold over $1,000. That means they earned $500 toward their account, and all they had to do was send a text message. It was really, really, easy with donuts since everybody loves Krispy Kreme. That was something that was close and tangible. Sellers could pick those up and we sold some at school as well.
Paris: What systems do you use to keep buyer and seller information more organized?
Wallace: Well, as far as with Double Good, they actually have it set up for us. There was an online leaderboard so I got to see who was in the top ten and what everybody sold. After the fundraiser ended, I still had access to that data and could put it on a spreadsheet. This way we can know how much students sold, how much they earned, and what they're putting that money to.
Paris: What happens once the fundraiser is over? How do you handle the earnings?
Wallace: With Double Good they'll give us a check with our proceeds. I have a list of what everybody earned, whatever the amount was, and then I'll give that money to Ms. Lester. I'll call each parent and I'll ask them what they want their child's money to go towards. So let's say, if I have a $500 credit, do I want $375 to go directly to my dues? Or do I want $100 to go to my dues and $400 to go to the senior trip? The parents make those decisions.
Paris: Do you have any backup plans in case of setbacks or if you don't reach your goal?
Wallace: The way we do fundraising is kind of different so that we can do individual fundraising. For a lot of people it was kind of difficult to explain, because all they had to do was send a text message right? So it wasn't like students had to go from door to door with a piece of paper. Krispy Kreme was a little different. It was easy with Krispy Kreme, but it was a little bit more work. Hopefully we'll get some other virtual fundraisers. To reach our goal, we want to make sure that we have general fundraisers as well. For instance, our carwash that's coming up will be for the seniors, who will actually be washing cars, and the proceeds are going to go to the senior fund. That way when we have senior activities, such as prom, we're able to pay for those things with that fund money if we need it.
Paris: Why is the senior trip this year to Puerto Rico?
Wallace: The scholars voted on going to Puerto Rico. They had three choices: Canada, Puerto Rico, or Florida and they all chose Puerto Rico.
Paris: Do you have any expectations for seniors when they go to Puerto Rico as a Spanish teacher?
Wallace: Yes, I want them to learn and to experience different things. I know that being a Spanish teacher, we learn a lot about culture. I want everybody to experience something new, even if they’ve already gone to Puerto Rico before. Maybe there's a new place that they can go to, like a restaurant, or specific activity, or the rainforest so they can do different things.
Paris: Is there anything else you'd like to share for our readers?
Wallace: Yes, I would love for everyone, all seniors, to make sure you are participating in any fundraiser that comes your way. If you are a member of the Friendship Collegiate Academy family, please support the seniors, staff, and anybody that works here! Any scholar can help. Don’t be afraid to ask the seniors to buy a box of Krispy Kreme or two!
Paris Murray is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.