Old Rochester Regional Junior High School held a school-wide celebration last week to mark the end of a successful two-week fundraising effort.

The school took part in "Booster Bash 2021" on Thursday, Sept. 23 marking the end of its Boosterthon fundraiser, which began on Sept. 10.

It was the second year the school has participated in a Boosterthon fundraiser, which allows students to register and solicit donations for their school through the site’s online interface. The school then provided prizes for those who secured donations.

Unlike traditional fundraisers, prizes were not given solely to the students who raised the most money. Instead, students could raise money in any amount and be entered to win a variety of prizes through various challenges. Prizes ranged from gift certificates, to a mountain bike, a drone and more.

Boosterthon supplied the funds for the prizes as part of the partnership with the school.

In total, the school raised nearly $17,000 with all of the proceeds going directly back to student activities such as after-school programs, field trips and more.

Booster Bash 2021 was held to mark the end of the fundraising event, and all students at the school, regardless of their participation, were able to take part. It involved color day activities, relay races, games and more.

“The kids had a great time, and it was an awesome way to end a very successful fundraising effort,” Principal Silas Coellner said. “We held a Boosterthon fundraiser in 2019 but we were unable to last year due to COVID, so to be fully back in school this year and be able to do more programs like this is such a good thing for our entire school community.”

Physical Education teacher Karen Horan served as the school’s Boosterthon liaison, making sure the donations were collected properly, assisting students as needed and helping to organize the Booster Bash celebration.

ORR Junior High School is a pilot school for Boosterthon fundraisers at this grade level in the northeast part of the country. Typically, the company sponsors fundraisers at the elementary level.

The fundraiser had the support of the school administration and the ORR School Committee. Local businesses also served as sponsors, including Hotte Construction, Orthodontic Specialists of Southeastern Massachusetts, Anchor Realty, Eastern Bank, Tri-Town Against Racism, On the Go Catering and RogersGray Insurance.

“We are thrilled with how many students took part in this event, and how much money they were able to raise for their school,” Superintendent Michael Nelson said. “We had donations come in from all over Massachusetts and from around two dozen states in total. The generosity of our school community has always been very strong, and it certainly showed with this fundraiser.”