Wallace HS Spanish students cookin' it up

WALLACE — A potentially once in a lifetime opportunity has led to local students taking a unique approach to fundraising that the people on the east end of Shoshone County are loving.

A handful of Wallace Jr./Sr. High School students in Rick Leavitt’s Spanish classes have been hosting weekly cookout events in an effort to raise money to send the kids to Costa Rica.

Taco Tuesdays and Burger Fridays.

For Leavitt, the trip is something he never expected himself to want to do, but as the kids expressed interest and excitement his mind-set changed and he is now thoroughly enjoying watching them work hard to raise their funds.

“I was always so nervous about taking kids on these kinds of trips. A lot of things can go wrong. But these kids here are just so great,” Leavitt said. “We wanted to give them an opportunity to work, to show initiative, and to make their money for the trip and they are definitely working hard.”

The cookout concept seemed like a simple one where the kids could work in multiple capacities, with lower overhead costs and popularity.

“We tried to go really simple, like Taco Bell style tacos and In and Out Burger burgers,” Leavitt said. “That keeps it affordable for us and for the people we’re cooking for and people really seem to really like it because it lets them off the hook for dinner a couple nights a week. They can skip cooking and come down and get some great food and a good price.”

There are some specialized menu items as well, but Leavitt and his crew have strived to keep their menu simple.

Each student who signs up for the trip will need to make $2,200 to cover their entire trip, including airfare, lodging, food and activities.

Both Taco Tuesdays and Burger Fridays are at Wallace High School and run from 5-7 p.m. and will run through the end of the school year.