Cornhole for Collins
Action was constant throughout the afternoon in the gym.
More than one current student, former student, and possible future student stopped to say “hello” or hug Jennifer Collins in the hallway during a Cornhole tournament on March 30, which was held to help raise funds to help defray the costs of medical bills incurred as a result of her parents’ recent passings. The tournament was organized by Izzy Shelton, who approached the Student Council about doing something to help the universally beloved teacher and her brother
Alex Koziah.
In February of this year, Collins’ dad passed away. About three days later, her mother required hospitalization and ultimately also passed away a little over a week after Collins’ father. Her mother did not have medical insurance, and the bill for her hospital stay was quite
substantial.
“This is helping us cover not even medical expenses, just expenses that have happened with the passing of my parents,” Collins said.
As she explained the nature of some of those expenses, former student Allissa Mitchell stopped by to exchange a warm hello with Collins on her way to buy raffle tickets, which was a common experience. “This has been really touching to see,” Collins said. “It means a lot.”
Collins is currently at Tigert Middle School, where she teaches seventh grade geography, but she has been a highlight of many students’ days in other capacities, such as supervising online course work at the high school, and teaching economics and government as a high school and a dual-enrollment early college instructor for CWI as well.
The Soda Springs High School gym was abuzz on the snowy Saturday afternoon during Easter weekend, as teams faced off against one another in a double elimination tournament. Medals were given to the top three teams, and raffle items were donated by a large number of local supporters.
The winners of the tournament, as well as the results of the fundraising and information about where people who missed the tournament can donate will be coming soon.
