Kid wash: Ronan Honor Pass fundraiser gets everyone wet

RONAN — The water was flowing, over cars and kids, as the sun was shining on Saturday, making for a perfect day to wash a few cars. Students from the seventh and eighth grade Ronan Middle School Honor Pass club were busy well into the afternoon as they raised money for the annual Honor Pass trips with a free car wash at the Mission Mart parking lot.

The club had scrubbed at least 15 cars by 11 :30 a.m. on Saturday, and was planning to stick around the Mission Mart parking lot until they stopped coming, eighth-grader Sarah Anderson said.

At least 12 Honor Pass members were posted around the parking lots, and 12 more students stood ready with sponges, soap and hoses to do the job. Drivers of newly-shined cars made sure the elbow grease was well-rewarded with generous donations.

All the students and anyone standing nearby the water works was collateral damage - Tyrell Miller got a free hair wash between scrubs. Fellow student Brandon Dumont did needed a bath himself after coming under fire while washing wheels. Sarah helped him out with a hose to the head.

To earn membership, Honor Pass students must get at least a 3.0 GPA for three consecutive quarters, help with at least two fundraisers and have 14 service points. Service points are awarded based on community service hours.

“It’s a reward for getting good grades and doing good stuff like that,” seventh-grader Tyler Anderson said.

Honor Pass seventh grade adviser Tera Flink said that almost half of the seventh grade class are members of the club. About 40 people will go on the trip on Friday, a tour through the Sapphire Mountains, Philipsburg and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Seventh-grader Jade Gray said the club membership, and trip especially, are something that sixth graders look forward to. She’s been to the Sapphire Mountains and is looking forward to going back.

“It’s just so much fun to do the sapphire thing,” she said.

The eighth grade class will take about 25 on their trip through North Idaho next week. The students will visit the Crystal Gold Mine, North Idaho College and then stop off at the Silverwood Theme Park.

The club has several other fundraisers throughout the year, including quilt dinners, selling otter pops at lunch and holding bake sales.