Contestants battle in dodgeball

It's not your average high school pageant.

The contenders for Mr. SHS and Mr. RHS (Redmond High School) faced off in the annual dodgeball competition last week, hosted by RHS.

The pageant has become an event that contestants, students, faculty, and community members have come to enjoy for the last 10-plus years.

What is really unique about Mr. SHS is that it is much more than a status symbol; all the proceeds and benefits from the various fundraising events organized by the school and students go directly toward non-profit organizations, such as The Center in Bend, and this year's nonprofit, Sisters Family Access Network (FAN).

FAN provides service for children in families in need up to the age of 18. Volunteers and advocates work directly with families to provide food, housing, school supplies, wellness, and health services. FAN's mission is to remove roadblocks that prevent underprivileged youth from earning a valuable education and pave a more defined path for children to have a successful future.

The dodgeball event is just the first of many service events that go toward benefiting the community and raising funds for FAN. Coming up on February 21 is a spaghetti feed hosted at Sisters Community Church. Tickets will be $5 dollars, with children under five years old free (see related story, page 6).