“I told my class of seniors that I really wanted them to get involved second semester and do things out of their comfort zone—and if they did, then I would.”

Keeping her promise, Megan Plackett, a communication arts teacher and learning support coach at Central, played in the annual staff/student basketball game for the first time.

Plackett graduated from Central in 1997 as a captain on the girls’ basketball team. She has not played since, but was still looking forward to participating.

“I think it is a fun camaraderie between staff and students,” Plackett said. “It’s a fun, different level of connection to explore. It’s all in good fun… and for a good cause.”

The staff/student basketball game is a charity event that is organized by Red Rage, Central’s pep club, and was originally started by Todd Holmberg. A new foundation is chosen each year by the members and nearly $3,000 was raised from the game on March 8, surpassing the $2,500 goal. The proceeds will go to benefit the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Edward Hospital.

“You can see the amount of money that you [helped] raise and that it’s going to a good cause,” junior Red Rage member Allea Noren said.

For the 15th annual game, there were about 80 students and 20 teachers participating and performances from Poms and Urban Arts Club.

“I really like this event because it is school-wide and we invite different groups [to participate],” Barbara Watson, sponsor of Red Rage said.

Red Rage members asked for donations to be offered in a raffle with prizes from Pinstripes, Top Golf, Wings and Rings and more.

“Even if you’re not a part of the club or a team that’s putting it on, even if you just go, you are giving back to the community,” Noren said.

This year, Red Rage partnered with Special Spaces, a club that provides rooms for kids going through treatment.