School hosts nugget eating contest for United Way

Emily Davis — Mustangs Ahead

(Lakewood Ranch, FL) — Two members of Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) staff are having a chicken nugget eating competition to raise money for a cause.

In the past, Assistant Principal Thomas Bellantonio and vocational teacher and Student Government Association (SGA) adviser Tommy Cuervo have participated in competitions to raise funds for United Way. In 2021 they did “Kiss the Cow” contest and in 2023 they held a karaoke competition during lunch called the “Applebee's Half-off Apps Karaoke Extravaganza Show”.

This year they plan to continue the tradition with a chicken nugget eating competition on Mar. 11, where they will see who can eat the most nuggets in five minutes.

Hope Ambassadors will be collecting money during every lunch from Mar. 3 –10. The lunch that raises the most money will get to watch the eating competition. Students will also receive a treat courtesy of the district Food & Nutrition Services.

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“To add some excitement, the person who eats the fewest chicken nuggets in 5 minutes will have to wear a chicken suit for the remainder of the day. There is a lot at stake, so we hope everyone will come out to support the ultimate winner—United Way,” said Bellantonio.

United Way is a global non-profit organization that works to better people’s lives using the community to improve things like education, health, and financial stability.