Students across El Dorado schools showed creativity and generosity during this year’s annual Pennies by the Pound fundraiser, collecting more than $2,600 for the United Way of El Dorado despite a nationwide penny shortage.
Each school adapted to the challenge in unique ways. Elementary students brought in all types of spare change, while El Dorado High School turned the tradition into “Nickels by the Inch” by converting donations to nickels. El Dorado Middle School added a competitive twist that pitted its “countries” against one another for points.
At El Dorado High School, students raised a total of $418.14.
The Class of 2026 led the way with $188.50, stretching 2,952 inches of nickels.
The Class of 2027 followed with 2,220 inches totaling $93.36.
The Class of 2028 brought in 648 inches and $36.69.
The Class of 2029 collected 564 inches and $45.25.
In the school’s Connections competition, Fangmann’s class earned first place with $131.00, followed by Hill with $64.13 and Miller with $61.10.
At El Dorado Middle School, students raised $929.60 through their country-based system. Teams earned points for coins donated but could lose points if rival countries “sabotaged” them with dollar bills. Sweden emerged victorious with 15,185 points, followed by Peru with 12,977 and Kenya with 10,800. Other standings included Ireland (5,936), Egypt (4,166), Canada (2,722), and India (2,188).
Elementary schools contributed heavily by the pound:
Grandview Elementary led the pack, collecting 277.4 pounds of change totaling $843.21. Mrs. Cogan’s kindergarten topped the school with 125.5 pounds.
Blackmore Elementary gathered 71 pounds and $243.29, with Mr. Funk’s fifth-grade class leading at 31.3 pounds.
Skelly Elementary raised $170 from 52.9 pounds, with Mrs. McCarthy’s kindergarten winning at 12.8 pounds.
Even with the shortage of pennies, El Dorado students demonstrated that small change still adds up to big impact — one coin, inch, and pound at a time.