May 2, 2001 – Some of the singers who took part in the karaoke fund-raiser for Central High School in March may have been out of tune, but their collective efforts hit a high note by raising $8,000.
The March 31 shindig at the Wreck Bar in Christiansted saw more than 300 people, including Lt. Gov. Gerard Luz James II, senators, other government officials and teachers, gather to raise money for Central High’s English Department. The effort fell short of the goal to collect $10,000 for a new copy machine and instructional materials, but the event organizer, Sen. Emmett Hansen II, said that was because "unfortunately, the event was cut short."
Hansen was referring to an unrelated incident involving a gun outside the bar.
Despite that glitch, the senator, a Central High graduate, said the success of the event demonstrated that the community can band together in times of need.
"It shows that, once you put your mind to it, you can get this community together," he said. "I feel really good."
Central High Principal Kent Moorhead said that money raised will be used for both the copy machine and for developing advanced placement and remedial programs. "All of Central High will benefit from this contribution," he said.
Hansen was non-committal about whether he is planning any other fund-raisers anytime soon. "I can’t spend all my time putting on benefits," he said. "Perhaps we’ll do it again this summer."
