Food drive part of Twin River’s SODA activities

GENOA -- Twin River High School’s Students Opposed to Drugs and Alcohol (SODA) is holding a canned food drive through Dec. 12.

The charitable food drive is being held in conjunction with the club’s poker/pitch tournament Dec. 13.

Canned goods can be dropped off at the elementary school’s offices in Genoa or Silver Creek or the high school office in Genoa.

The group has set a goal of 200 cans for the food drive and is committed to donating 25 cents per can along with the canned goods to the Platte County Food Pantry.

“This serves as an excellent opportunity for our students, as well as the community, to donate to two causes at the same time, helping feed the hungry and aiding an organization in keeping teenagers alcohol and drug free,” SODA sponsor Ryan Sidwell said.

SODA is a club consisting of Twin River High School students in grades 9-12 whose mission is to provide entertaining, adult-supervised, late-night weekend activities as alternatives to drug and alcohol use. At every SODA event an abundance of snacks and soda is provided.

The club’s activities average an attendance of about 80 students and have included sports tournaments, dances and movie nights.

“I know that SODA has prevented and will continue to prevent illegal activities in our environment,” sophomore Jerald Klinginsmith said. “SODA has made a path, away from drugs and alcohol, that is fun and has something for everyone. When you come to a SODA event you expect to have fun, and you never leave disappointed.”

For the month of December, SODA will sponsor a Poker/Pitch Tournament Saturday, Dec. 13. Students will play in a 10-point pitch double elimination tournament, or a No Limit Texas Hold ’Em Sit ’N Go Tournament.

Prizes will be given to the top finishers in each game. For the non-card players, ping pong tables and several board games will be available to play.

Sidwell started the club as a graduate project for his masters degree.

“The purpose of the project was to create a drug and alcohol deterrence program by providing late-night weekend activities to students,” Sidwell said. “I was getting sick and tired of hearing that the only thing to do in a small town is drink and do drugs, so I decided that I needed to show my students that there are so many entertaining things you can do that does not involve drugs or alcohol.”

Sidwell said following the success of its inaugural year last year, the program has garnered the support of the administration, community and students to continue the club on another year.

“I feel that SODA has been a very positive influence on our students,” Principal Terry Gray said. “It has given them an alternative to stay away from other negative choices. We have had a great response from our students, staff and communities to SODA, and I hope this continues. SODA has been a great thing for our school.”

He said SODA was started with a group of 10 students, the group currently has a membership of more than 50 and now sponsors activities every month.

Admission for all SODA events is always free. The club is funded by donations from local businesses and individuals and occasional fundraisers. The group also hosts concessions at several Twin River athletic events.