Hastings High and Adams Central are well-known rivals. But when HHS and AC’s student councils teamed up to sell T-shirts for Maryland Living Center for the students to wear at the basketball game against each other, it was a continuation of a special tradition.
The two schools have been teaming up for three years now, and this year they decided to switch things up and look for less well-known organizations to support.
“This year we just wanted to give back local and I think Maryland (Living) Center is a great organization for us to help out,” senior Sophia Pankratz said. Pankratz was in charge of the T-shirt fundraiser.
Maryland Living Center is a housing facility for homeless teens in the Hastings area who need help preparing for living on their own. While many people don’t know what MLC is, AC student council member Erikka Rhodes isn’t worried about gaining interest for the cause.
“I think a lot of kids will be interested in this new organization that we’re going to,” Rhodes said.
HHS came up with the idea of selling T-shirts at the AC basketball game two years ago when this year’s seniors were sophomores. Senior Janessa Schroeder was one of the people who helped come up with this idea and is proud of how it kept going.
“I think it’s really cool how it has continued to be a tradition for the game to raise money for a good cause each year,” Schroeder said.
While the T-shirts serve as a theme for the HHS student section, players also are influenced by them. Senior Sam Reimer has played varsity basketball since the tradition began and likes the idea.
“Obviously we’re big rivals with Adams Central but in terms of being able to come together and raise enough money for a certain foundation is cool,” Reimer said.
Pankratz also likes the impact of the schools working together; not just on the rivalry, but on the town.
“Pride for our community showing that even though we’re two different schools, we live in the same community,” Pankratz said.
Hastings High and Adams Central will play each other in basketball on January 26 with JV starting at 4:30, girls varsity at 6, and boys varsity at 7:30 at HHS.
