JHS student organization members making the donation to the family of Jamie Schnars during Tuesday’s assembly.

Jamestown High School students and staff presented a check for $5,620.26 to the family of Jamie Schnars to conclude its annual Penny Wars fundraiser on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

Accepting the presentation were Schnars’ sister Bonnie, a JHS behavior specialist, and Jamie’s children Oliver and Lilly. Schnars passed away earlier this year after a courageous battle with cancer.

“We are overwhelmed by the community’s kindness and generosity,” said Bonnie Schnars. “I cannot explain how much this all means to me and our family. On behalf of Oliver and Lilly, thank you to everyone — students, staff, and our community — who made this Penny Wars fundraiser possible.”

For 25 years, students have spent the holiday season raising money for a worthy cause within the JHS family, raising nearly $100,000 for various causes across the community. Students spend the month of December leading up to the last day before the holiday break raising money for the cause. All pennies count as “positive” points and all silver and dollar bills count as “negative” points. Following the annual all-school assembly concert by the A Cappella Choir on the last day of school, the winning class is announced.

The Senior Class of 2026 finished in first place with 156,399 points and raising $1,841.33, the Sophomore Class of 2028 finished in second place with 111,302 points and $1,298.13 raised, the Junior Class finished in third place with 102,500 points and $1,297 raised, and the freshman class finished in fourth place with 36,817 points and $622.17 raised.

“We are so proud of our students, staff, and community members who helped make this year’s Penny Wars possible,” said Betsy Rowe-Baehr, JHS Student Organization advisor. “Each year, we put on Penny Wars as a friendly competition for a good cause as a way to help someone in our school family. It’s our pleasure to be able to present this money to the Schnars family in Jamie’s memory.”