Intense rivalry sets aside differences to help out the community

Oct 3, 2014

Payton Gentry|staff writer

Over the years, Johnson’s and Reagan’s rivalry as increased. It’s always a big deal when the Jags play Reagan in any sport or competition. This year the rivalry is doing good for the community.The Jags and the Rattlers are competing in a friendly competition to see who can donate the most cans for the San Antonio Food Drive.

“The food drive is for the San Antonio Food Bank. We are competing against Reagan,” senior cheerleader Victoria Hoover said. “The competition brings double the amount of canned goods donated!”

With the heated rivalry between the two schools, they have found a way to compete and help the community at the same time.

“Making it a competition against Reagan helps the overall giving of both schools,” senior PAL Lincoln Lair, said.

The Jags are staying humble, yet motivated to win this competition against the Rattlers.

“We don’t have a set goal, just as many as possible to beat the Reagan Rattlers,” cheerleading coach Shannon McKinley said.

There are plenty of opportunities for Jags to donate canned goods throughout the school.

“Students can donate cans anytime and in the big red buckets located around school,” Hoover said, “They can also donate money to cheerleaders and student council officers throughout the day.”

And Johnson has been getting a little help from their friends, with feeder schools pitching in also to take home the honor of having collected the most donations.

Throughout the week kids have been donating money during all lunches.

“We collected just under $525,” assistant principal Elaine Maze said. “We had help from Encino Park, Roan Forest, Bulverde and Cibolo Green Elementary. We also got help from Tejeda and Tex Hill Middle School.”

If students aren’t available to donate at school throughout the week, they still have time to donate at the game on Saturday.

“The big red buckets will be at the entrance of the stadium, and students can donate until the end of the first quarter. The winner will be announced at halftime,” McKinley said.

All students need to bring in cans to help the Jags beat Reagan in yet another competition.

“We need to win,” Lair said.