Mairead Holland – Mustangs Ahead
(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) – Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Hope Ambassadors hosted a chicken nugget-eating competition to raise money for United Way.
Throughout the past two weeks, members of LRHS Hope Ambassadors have been stationed at the front of the school cafeteria during each lunch period fundraising for the United Way.
To encourage students to donate to this cause, Hope Ambassadors promised to host a chicken nugget-eating competition on Wednesday, between LRHS Student Government Advisor Joseph (Tommy) Cuervo and LRHS Assistant Principal Thomas Bellantonio in whichever lunch period raised the most money.
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Students in C lunch raised the most money with $94. Thus, the chicken nugget-eating competition took place during the C lunch period.
As students gathered at the beginning of C lunch, both contestants had their grand entrances and took their places. Cuervo’s sauce of choice was ranch, while Bellantonio’s was “fancy sauce” (a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise).
During his walk-up, Cuervo exclaimed, “I put the ranch in Lakewood Ranch!”
After much suspense and amplification, Bellantonio came out victorious by eating 29 chicken nuggets in five minutes.
After winning, Bellantonio said, “A huge thanks to all who contributed to this amazing United Way fundraiser, including the (LRHS school counselor) Mrs. (Anastasia) Verno's Hope Ambassador crew for collecting funds. We couldn't have done it without your support.”
With this event, the Hope Ambassadors were able to raise a total of $176 for the United Way, further pursuing their mission of doing good for the community.
United Way is a non-profit network dedicated to improving lives through mobilizing community resources and education.