For several weeks, students have competed during Life class in challenges curated for them by the Associated Student Body (ASB), but the event is now coming to a close. The Amazing Race takes place in the second semester and lasts multiple weeks. 

The event involves 12 pairs of seniors competing in varying challenges and tasks to win $1,000 for a charity of their choice. On Jan. 27, the race officially began and six teams have been eliminated so far. 

Last year, the winners donated to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, an organization dedicated to curing the genetic disorder. This year, the charities represented vary from supporting athletics in the state with Sports Oregon to ending poverty with Children International.

Competing for Team Dark Green, Theodor Morganson and his teammate Samuel Hatler, seniors, are representing Columbia Land Trust. This nonprofit is dedicated to conserving and protecting various Northwest environments including Hood River, Mount St. Helens, and Trout Lake Valley. By working with native tribes, conducting science-based research, and establishing community, they have conserved more than 56,000 acres to date (Columbia Land Trust).

Graphic by Lauren Sexton.

“I like doing a lot of outdoor stuff like backpacking and camping—I was even on a mountain biking team and was in scouts for a while,” Morganson said. “But I think [Columbia Land Trust] is doing good with its conservation efforts and environmental protections, and it’s also local.”

In the first leg of the race, the team got first and since then has placed tenth, fourth, second, seventh, first, and fifth. For leg five, they received a 30-second advantage because Life classes voted on their team in a schoolwide poll.

“It’s exactly what I thought it would be and a lot of fun challenges. I don’t think my school spirit has ever been higher,” Morganson said. “We’re best at the puzzle-type ones, like mental challenges, but I do like the more physical ones too.”

Some of the other charities represented, such as St. Judes Children’s Research and Northwest Children’s Outreach, focus primarily on the health and well-being of kids and teenagers around the world. In total, half of the charities—including Columbia Land Trust— concentrate on issues outside of empowering youth.

“We considered ‘Save the Children,’ but then we realized a more local charity would probably have a larger impact on our community and be more closely connected,” Morganson said.

Once competing alongside Morganson and Hatler were Scarlett Cook and Sofia Delgado, both seniors, who represented Team Purple. The charity they chose was the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) which allows kids with serious illnesses or cancer to listen to live music, have access to mentorship, and explore nature. These experiences are meant to improve their emotional wellness free of charge. The Portland-based organization centers around joy and bringing it to those on their health journey. 

For seven years, Cook was a part of a non-profit teen-led organization called Lavender Girls. This group sets up a sale every September and all money collected goes to the CCA. Her teammate, Delgado, joined the group last year.

“We both had that experience in common and decided we wanted to support them further,” Cook said. “It’s really nice because we know exactly where our money is going and have actually been able to go to the headquarters and meet their team.”

Lavender Girls began eight years ago in West Linn and has accumulated volunteers from West Linn and Lake Oswego over the years. It originally started by selling bouquets of lavender to raise enough funds to fulfill any requests CCA had such as beds, instruments, and even hands-on experiences like the chance to swim with dolphins and concert tickets.

“The money that we donate to CCA is going to help children in the hospital with cancer by funding different toys, gifts, and more, and they also have a music program,” Cook said. “We both think this is a great organization and are really happy to be able to support it.”

Although Team Purple was eliminated in the fourth leg, all teams will donate some amount of money to their charity, no matter how they placed.

To watch previous and future legs of the race, visit the Associated Student Body’s (ASB) YouTube account and weekly videos have been played on the LiveROAR. The finale will take place on Thursday during Life Class.