Close-up has candy bars. Boy Scouts have popcorn. Alpine club has ski waxing. The music department has fruit - and lots of it. Around 82,390 pounds to be exact.
"We've probably done every kind of fund raiser you can imagine," said band director Alan Slater. "This one (fund raiser) seems to work best."
Each year music students sell navel oranges, grapefruit and apples. Sales are supposed to be higher this year due to the 100 additional students involved in the music department.
"People recognize that (the fund raiser) helps the music kids," said Slater. "They understand that it supports them."
The 400 students in band, choir and orchestra are raising money to go on trips to share their music with other high school students. These trips do not include school sponsored events such as pep band appearances and district music festivals.
"I think the fruit sales is a good way to get the community involved in the band program," said senior Michelle Houston. "The fruit sales are expected and looked forward to in the community."
Each year the different music programs (band, choir and orchestra) decide as a class where they want to travel. Where they go depends on the amount of money raised. Past trips have been to places such as Spokane and Seattle. This year the band class has set a goal to go to San Francisco.
Said Slater:
"I'm speaking for Tracie Price (orchestra director) and Kevin Allen-Schmid (choir director) when I say that we appreciate the support given by our staff and our community for allowing us to give these opportunities to our kids."