The greater Howell community shattered a previous fundraising record by more than $50,000 during Howell High School’s Senior Survivor 2026.
Students raised a record $287,236 to support the Livingston County Animal Shelter, according to release from Howell Public Schools. The previous record was $232,369, raised in 2022.
The record amount was announced during a schoolwide assembly May 1. Raleigh Leppek (Team Eric Leppek) was this year’s Ultimate Survivor.
“This has been my goal, honestly, since my sophomore year — and especially this year, I had a lot of things I really wanted to do for myself,” Leppek said. “The fact that we (raised the most money ever), and I got to win … it’s really amazing.
“Setting a new record shows how much (this) matters to us, how together we are as a community, and just how amazing our class is.”
Senior Survivor is a week-long competition during which roughly a dozen seniors stay overnight at HHS, raising money during the day and competing in immunity and reward challenges at night. This year, fifteen seniors were selected to participate, each aided by an elementary schooler, a middle schooler and a staff member in their fundraising efforts.
The Livingston County Animal Shelter serves, annually, more than 1,000 animals. The money raised during Senior Survivor will be used to support critical facility improvements and expanded services, according to HPS.
“Senior Survivor is a point of pride here in Highlander Nation,” wrote HHS Principal Jason Schrock. “This fundraiser unites our students, staff and community to support a deserving nonprofit organization and our Senior Survivors. While the competition can be fierce, it’s ultimately about making a difference in our community, and I am so proud of everyone involved in making this year’s (competition) such a huge success.”
Senior Survivor has raised just under $1.9 million since 2008. Learn more at howellschools.com/survivor.
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Howell High School shatters fundraising record for Senior Survivor
Reporting by Evan Sasiela, Livingston Daily / Livingston Daily
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