'Golden plunger' returns to Reardan

REARDAN – Separated by 13 miles of wheat fields, the schools in Davenport and Reardan have more in common than not. The students honor their traditions and model the core values of their communities. Last week they took part in Winterfest, a five-day spirited battle that highlighted each school's competitive nature through dress up days and contests, with the goal of winning the coveted "Golden Plunger," while raising awareness for local food banks.

By week's end, Winterfest showed the generosity of the students and their communities. The schools' collaborative food drive resulted in over 4300 items being donated to food banks in Reardan and Davenport.

Earlier in the week, wrestlers from the schools competed in the "Battle for the Belt," which Davenport won. On Friday, Dec. 13, the schools met in the Reardan gymnasium for the girls and boys basketball games. On one side of the gym, spectators were dressed in red and white, while those on the other side wore maroon and gray. At halftime of the girls' game, Reardan pulled its eight brawniest students from the stands to win the tug-of-war. Davenport's most agile and aggressive students countered with a dominating performance in a game of musical chairs. It may have been the Screaming Eagles' win in the full-court mattress race that put them over the top. When all the points were tallied, the "Golden Plunger" was relinquished by Davenport after its win last year and handed over to Reardan.