PASS Graduation Matters fundraiser a success

Despite the dreary weather, more than 40 runners gathered at Havre High School Saturday morning for the first Graduation Matters 5K Fun Run/Walk, sponsored by the school's Partners Advocating for Student Success team.

Karla Coy, counselor and PASS adviser, said there was a great turnout.

"Our goal is to look at the dropout rate in our school and what students can do to help change that statistic," she said. "We pair together, oftentimes, with student council or with Key Club. ...We hope to do it every May to highlight graduation."

Coy said the proceeds will be used to help purchase incentives, such as gas cards, for Havre High students who attend their classes.

"It's for the whole student body," she said.

Jamie Lieberg, 19, won the 5K.

He said he was surprised to win.

"I heard about it a couple of weeks ago," Lieberg said. "It was something I did for fun."

Coy added that the program is hoping to do incentive raffles every two weeks.

"If you're at perfect attendance for two weeks, then your name will go into a drawing and we'll raffle it out," she said. "(We want to get) the community, the parents, the teachers, the kids, everybody involved in graduation and why it's important to our community."