*Update Saturday Jan. 17th: MHS beat LHS in the Chick-fil-a fundraiser.

A conspicuous lack of parking spots at the Chesterfield Valley Chick-fil-a foreshadowed the scene taking place inside. MHS students in every nook and cranny of the customarily composed restaurant, laughing and talking to friends and family, while munching on the signature chicken and waffle fries.

On Wednesday, Jan. 14, Chick-fil-a hosted the MHS portion of the “Marquette vs. Lafayette” Chick-fil-a Fundraiser. From 5 p.m to 9 p.m, MHS students and friends could eat at the restaurant for an opportunity to raise money for Renaissance. 20% of the proceeds, calculated from any receipts turned into the MHS-themed basket, went to the student recognizing organization. The winner, which will receive an extra 100 dollars, will be announced Friday at the Boy’s Varsity Basketball game.

Sophomore principal Richard Regina was pleased with the turnout and said MHS plans on doing the fundraiser again in the future, especially since it benefits both parties – Chick-fil-a and MHS.

“It is great for them because Tuesday and Wednesday nights are usually not busy nights for restaurants,” Regina said. “That’s really one of the things we’re trying to do with Renaissance, create relationships with businesses, and we are definitely doing that because we’re getting a lot of business in for Chick-fil-a, and obviously they’re going to give us 20% back, which is great.”

Students from all grades used this fundraiser as a reason to get out of the house, order some fast food, socialize with friends, and support a good cause. Soon, the restaurant began to resemble a diner style MHS cafeteria that served Chick-fil-a in place of CluxDelux.

“When I first walked in, I saw a lot of familiar faces from school,” Morgan Lange, sophomore, said. “It was like seeing people from around the halls.”

Although a scrumptious chicken burger may be enough motivation for some to go to Chik-fil-a, Lange didn’t just come because she likes Chick-fil-a’s food. She came for the competition: “I came to support our school in beating Lafayette,” Lange said.

Lange wasn’t the only one excited about winning. Kathryn Milla, senior, also attended the fundraiser to support MHS and walked out felling confident about the turnout.

“I have been here, I have seen all the humans walking in and out of the door, and I think we have good chances,” Milla said.

Milla said she had an enjoyable experience at the fundraiser.

“It’s a great day at Chick-fil-a!” Milla said.