After signs appeared all over the hallways asking “What’s coming?” on March 10, accompanied by “Puzzled?” later in the week, students were curious. Guesses about the point of the posters ranged from junior ring activities to the installation of turf fields. On March 27, the signs’ purpose was revealed: to announce a fundraiser for the Dominican Republic service trip on June 14-21.

Students can purchase ribbons which allow them to dress out of uniform on April 4. The ribbons cost $5 at the school store and must be worn on April 4 to allow students to dress down.

“It raised some curiosity,” religion teacher Thomas Vierheller said, regarding the signs. Vierheller and religion teacher Elise Gower will be accompanying the 14 sophomores, juniors, and seniors going on the trip. The group is going to the Dominican Republic to build a house for a family.

Following the posters, the group hid large puzzle pieces in various places around the school, including on the chapel doors and in the locker room.

Sophomores Carly Lyon and Kelly Reilley found two pieces before school on March 25. The first one was in the locker room, and the second one was behind a door in the middle stairwell.

“I almost tripped over [the piece in the locker room],” Lyon said. “We were walking to the library when we saw [the second one].”

After students found them, they brought the pieces to the Director of the Media Center Kathy Welsh, where the pieces were on display.

“The awareness is what we’re after,” Vierheller said. “[We wanted] something that would be engaging to the entire community.”

According to Vierheller, the fundraiser is the first of a string of activities to promote awareness about the Dominican Republic that will include a Culture-Shock-like fair with presentations on culture, dress, and food. The group also wants to have a food awareness event in the cafeteria.

“Within the group and within JC, there’s an educational, cultural, and spiritual side to this,” Vierheller said.

The fundraiser is meant to let “people know our purpose of going out to help people and how they can be part of our team,” according to junior Molly Exter, who will go on the trip in June.

“While everyone cannot go to the Dominican Republic, they can help those who are going,” Vierheller said. According to him, the money paid for the ribbons will go directly to the Dominican Republic, so a part of the JC community will accompany the students going on the trip.

The ribbon itself is a “symbol of solidarity,” according to Vierheller. They will be red, white, and blue to “show our similarity,” as these are the colors of both the United States and Dominican Republic flags.

“[We’re fulfilling] the idea of being of service to that global society concept of our mission statement,” Vierheller said. “Unlike our touring trips, these parents are paying money for their students to go do service.”

Kathy Deaver is a Sports Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.