Bearcat Beat: MHS kicks off a new year

Monroe High School (MHS) is starting off the new year strong. There's a lot going on and new opportunities are becoming available.
After two weeks off, many students are still looking forward to Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 19) as a day to catch up on some sleep and maybe finish that homework they've been procrastinating on. But it's a new year and time for some new habits. Instead of a day of rest, the United Way of Snohomish County, YMCA of Snohomish County, Catholic Community Services, Senior Corps-RSVP and United Parcel Service are giving teens an opportunity to transform King's life mission and teachings into tangible change around our community through the MLK Day of Service in Snohomish County.
On MLK Day, Monday, Jan. 19, 250 students from Snohomish County will be given the opportunity to create change. They will be able to choose between several different projects around their city. Teens in Monroe will be able to do things like sort donations at the Matthew House or volunteer with Take the Next Step.
School clubs, scout troops and service groups are encouraged to register as teams. Individuals are more than welcome to join, too.
Each teen group will be led by an adult. Teens (ages 14-19) interested in participating can get more information and register at www.uwsc.org/mlkday.php or at the United Way's Youth United Program at youthunited@uwsc.org or by calling 425-374-5530. If you are an adult interested in leading a group, email Michelle Morris at michelle.morris@uwsc.org. If you want to participate, you must sign up by Monday, Jan. 12. If you are talking about MLK Day of Service on social media, make sure to use the hashtag #MLKDaySnoCo.
On another note, a select group of students from the MHS band will be going to play in the Pacific Lutheran University Honor Band Friday, Jan. 9 to Sunday, Jan. 11.
Also, coming up next week at the high school is the We Are One Week, from Monday, Jan. 12 to Friday, Jan. 16. Holly Gombossy, a member of the week's committee, sums up the goal of the week: "We want to unite the school and community through acts of service and the act of coming together to celebrate our diversity. We want people to recognize the importance of appreciating and respecting differences.GÇ¥
During the week, there will be volunteering opportunities at the Matthew House, Sky Valley Food Bank and Brookdale Living Home. Students will be able to sign up during both lunches. The volunteering will lead up to the main event of We Are One Week called the We Are One Festival. This festival is free and open to all community members. It will be held Friday, Jan. 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the MHS commons. The primary goal of the event is to bring the MHS student body and community together, so communal attendance is of great importance.
After the We Are One Festival is the boys' home basketball game at 7:15 p.m. against Snohomish, which leads up to Battle of the Bands. Battle of the Bands is an event that gives bands from MHS an opportunity to showcase their talents. The group with the most donations wins. Battle of the Bands is immediately after the boys' basketball game and costs $3 upon entry.
Speaking of boys' basketball, there are several sporting events this week. The boys will play tonight (Jan. 6) against Jackson High School at home at 7:15 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 8, away at Lake Stevens at 7:15 p.m.
Girls' basketball will play away tomorrow (Jan. 7) against Jackson High School at 7:15 p.m. and Friday, Jan. 9 at home against Lake Stevens at 7:15 p.m.
Boys' swim has a meet Friday, Jan. 8, against Snohomish and Glacier Peak at 3:15 p.m. at the Snohomish Aquatic Center.
Wrestlers have a match tonight (Jan. 6) at Redmond at 5 p.m., and Friday, Jan. 9 away against Mount Vernon at 7 p.m. They will also be participating in the Sky Valley Invitational hosted by Sultan High School on Saturday, Jan. 10 at 9:45 a.m.
It is the first full week of the new year. Go out and live. Experience and do the things you told yourself you couldn't or wouldn't do in 2014.
100 school days left until graduation (June 6) and 106 days until school is out!

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