Carson and Douglas high schools are coming together to raise money for Haiti relief - but that doesn't mean they've put aside their long-standing rivalry.
"It's kind of a huge deal when it comes to us versus Douglas," explained Steven Chaparro, 17, the senior class president. "This is a way of going against them, but working together to do something for the greater good."
The Carson-Douglas Rivalry with a Heart for Haiti is a competition organized by the leadership classes from the two schools. The classes will compete to see which community can raise the most money to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.
"They need the help," said Sierra Sanchez, 15, sophomore class secretary. "We want to do all we can for them."
The competition will culminate Feb. 12 during the basketball game between Carson and Douglas.
The winners will be treated to a pizza party, but the real prize, said government teacher Angila Golik, will be bragging rights.
Golik organized something similar at her former school in Montana, and suggested to some leadership students in her class that they should try the same thing here.
Student Body Vice President Mary Ann Ong took the idea back to her leadership class and it caught hold.
So far, 15 leadership students have signed up to be on the committee, about triple the amount of most other committees.
"I was really excited because my committee was one of the biggest we've ever had," she said. "Now I know I have the support of a lot of my peers."
Karen Lamb, activities director at Douglas High School, said her students are also excited about the challenge.
"We like that we're doing something new," she said. "We're trying to come together for a good cause. We're making a positive thing out of our rivalry."
Ong is reaching out to other clubs at Carson High School that have expressed similar interest in raising money for relief efforts in Haiti.
Members of the committee spent Tuesday morning painting posters to encourage their classmates to get involved in the fundraiser.
Student Body President Brett Myers, 17, is hoping see a lot of support from the school as well as from the community.
"It's always important for the youth to be involved with stuff like this," he said. "And if we can get the community involved, why stop at the school?"
Golik said she wants the students to see how working together can help them achieve their goals.
"I personally can't donate $10,000," she explained, "but I can rally the forces to come up with it."
It's a sentiment that animates freshman class representative Krista Stocke, 14.
"We can make a change," she said. "If we all just donate a little, it will make a big difference."
