By: Hailey Schmacht

LO’T Focus Editor

The Moline High School Student body kicked off their annual Share Joys fundraiser with the donut eating contest. In this event, students came together in four person teams to raise money to buy clothes and food for Moline families. The teams each chose a theme and made posters to hang up in the school, getting everybody excited for the event. “Dressing up definitely made the event more fun” said Senior Mady Doucette. She went on to say, “it also just felt good to donate so much money to a probable cause.” Some of the themes included Grandparents, Smores, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Powerpuff Girls, and Swim Team. 

Each team raised at least $500, making for a grand total of over $12,500 to donate to quad city families for the holiday season. 

The morning of the contest, all the teams lined up with one person sitting at the table, ready to eat all of the donuts in front of them. There were judges monitoring, an audience watching, and many camera crews set up. When MHS counselor and Sharejoys leader Allison Ryser announced for all the teams to begin eating, everyone was yelling out of excitement, supporting their teammates to eat as fast as possible. “I’ve never eaten that many donuts in one sitting,” said senior Eric Poston, “and nobody cheated at all” he added. 

The Top Banana Award, for the highest raising team, was won by Kamara Dickinson, Maddie peterson, Nicole Ellis, and Kayla Veto with a grand total of $910! The second highest raising team, winning The Big Donut Award, was won by Payton Mulliken, Clayton Miller, Mckensie Fortner, and Hannah Evens with total of $730! The Donut King and Queen was Payton Miller and Yasmin Pannell. Finally, the best dressed award went to Goldilocks and the three bears, which included Becca Ehlers, Scotty Ehlers, Aiden Michna, and Jake Peterson. Good job to all the teams who participated! 

Overall, the donut eating contest this year was very successful and a lot of fun. The costumes and early morning intensity never fails to kick off share joys with excitement and a headstart on donations. Afterall, with all the fun aside, this event truly is about helping those who need help extra help during the holidays.