By: Shayla Terry

Luverne High School kicked off it’s I’ll Drink To That campaign last week in support of United States Armed Forces, and Principal Jamie Howard brought along two queens to share its message with the Luverne Kiwanis Club.

Howard, Homecoming Queen 2016 Frances Ackerman, and Miss LHS 2017 Natalie Weaver presented to the club the finalized plan for the campaign. Last year, Howard had spoken to Kiwanis about his vision for the campaign.

“I’m glad he could come back here, and have his plan come to fruition for our community,” Kiwanis Club President Ruth Bayman said.

The month long campaign is in partnership with the Pepsi Bottling Company of Luverne. Cases of water can be brought through the school, and the donor will write a thank you note to the armed forces for their services. All cases of water will be donated to troops throughout the country at the completion of the campaign.

“The military men and women do so much for our country on a daily basis,” Howard said. “I want the students to understand the sacrifices that they make, and for them to understand it’s better to give than receive.”

Proceeds from the campaign will go on to fund two $1,000 scholarships to a male and female senior at LHS.

“I want my students to learn the value of community service, and that just helping one person can go a long way,” Howard said.

The cases of water are $6, and are to only be brought through the school. Donors can donate in the name of a child or the school will assign a child to the water case purchased. Pepsi will store the water until military services come to have it presented to them.

Howard and the queens have also made an I’ll Drink To That public service announcement that was filmed and packaged by the students of LHS Communications classes. The PSA can be found on YouTube on the WLHS Action News channel.

The campaign is not limited to just LHS, the whole Crenshaw County can participate.

“We want everyone to participate at all schools in the county,” Howard said. “You can just come by our office, and put your order in.”

The campaign will finish on Friday, April 14.