Dexter Students Compete in Senior Survival Fundraiser

Twelve students, six groups of one girl and one guy, recently took on the daunting task of not leaving the high school grounds for one week, all in the name of charity.

The annual Senior Survival challenge is a volunteer opportunity in which students may elect to participate and raise funds for a charity of their choice. This year, students raised $9,700. They endured the week of April 17-22, the school's spring break, and had to turn in their car keys, cellphones and all electronics.

The winning survivors were seniors Serena Bidwell and Avery Marvel, both of whom said the challenge was a memorable experience.

"I rekindled long-lost relationships because of Senior Survivor," Marvel said. "A motley crew of different cliques and stereotypes came together and realized that there was more to high school than labels."

Bidwell said she enjoyed bonding with her peers.

"It was a great way to ... celebrate the closing month of high school, but even more important was the idea that all proceeds went to charity," Bidwell said.  

All the participants chose charities, but only the victors got to decide where the donations will be sent. Bidwell chose the American Cancer Society, which will receive half of the proceeds.

"I feel as though cancer affects the lives of so many people," she said. "I have family and friends who have battled cancer, and my mother works with cancer research, so it has obviously touched my own life."  

The other half of the proceeds will be donated to the United Nations Foundation, which helps people living in extreme poverty.

"I picked the United Nations Foundation in order to continue Laurence Carolin's dream of helping the world," said Marvel, referring to the Dexter student who died from a brain tumor in 2010 and donated the money from his wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation to the United Nations Foundation.

"My family and I were lucky enough to have known Laurence, and his remarkable selflessness really inspires me to this day," Marvel said. "Not everyone in this world is as lucky as us here in the United States, and so if I can help out even one sick kid in another country and make their  day, that's what it's all about."  

DHS Principal William "Kit" Moran said he fully supports the seniors' efforts.

"Not only did we provide an opportunity to further build long-lasting relationships between seniors, develop a ton of school spirit and have a lot of fun, but seniors raised an incredible amount of money," Moran said. "We are lucky to live in a community that cherishes the will to have fun and give to others and has melded the two so perfectly in the Senior Survivor event."  

This was the second year for the event, which, like the television show Survivor, has activities where teams can get voted off the competition.

Teachers Al Snider and Deb Marsh, along with the Student Council, oversaw the activities.

"The activities included making a team banner, finding the idol, human tic-tac-toe and various games you would see on the TV game show Minute to Win It," Snider said.

Despite the long, exhausting week, Bidwell said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and I would do it again in a heartbeat."  

Marvel agreed.

"Senior Survivor was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my entire life. There is no way to explain the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment that came over me when our tribe won. I've never been happier to be in school," he said.