Tornado relief fundraiser at Dexter High School ends early after undisclosed incident

Posted on Fri, Apr 27, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.

A charity fundraiser put on by the senior class at Dexter High School for the Dexter Tornado Relief Fund and Faith in Action was cut short two days into the week-long event following an incident at the high school that triggered an internal investigation.

“Senior Survivor” — an annual fundraiser which in its two years of existence had reportedly raised more than $15,000 for charity — was ended on Tuesday night, according to an email sent out to parents in the district.

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Dexter High School

AnnArbor.com file photo

“We regret that this action was necessary but it was important to investigate the incident for all concerned,” read the letter sent to parents on Wednesday.

High school principal William “Kit” Moran said in a statement on Friday that the investigation has concluded but would not disclose any further details.

“To protect the privacy of those involved, no further comment about the investigation will be made. We have heard students spreading rumors at school that were based on inaccurate conclusions and statements,” Moran said in the statement. “Our school has proven to support its students and we will continue to work together to be ethical citizens of Dexter High School.”

Modeled after the television show Survivor, “Senior Survivor” pitted teams of two senior students against each other in a series of challenges. Participants would eat, sleep and shower at the school while participating in the game and attending classes as well.

The teams raised money around town the week prior to the event. The money was to go to the fund that is providing financial assistance to residents who suffered property damage from the March 15 Dexter tornado. Moran said he did not know how much money had been raised prior to the event being canceled.

Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter @petcunningham.

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