CHRISSY OHLINGER / Special to the PVT Members of the Rosemary Clarke Middle School Student Council place donated canned food into boxes for distribution prior to the Christmas holidays. Advertisement

The Rosemary Clarke Middle School Student Council worked hard to make a difference in the community this year, most recently by organizing a schoolwide canned food drive and collecting 3,809 cans of food for the needy.

The two classes that collected the most cans won a pizza party and an ice cream party, both donated by Pahrump Kiwanis.

At the same time while they organized the food drive, students from the council have been making ornaments and decorating candy canes to give residents while they caroled at The Evergreen at Pahrump, a long-term medical rehabilitation facility located near the school.

The Student Council works in conjunction with the Builder's and Kiwanis clubs on a variety of community projects throughout the year.

The council organized a coat drive earlier in the year, collecting eight boxes of coats to distribute throughout the community. Spring plans for the council include\ a fundraiser for the local animal shelter. Last year the council raised $500 for the animals.

Community projects are in addition to the council's activities on campus. Students in the council help all year with ticket sales, working concessions and volunteering at school dances and other events.