Kate Young, Staff Writer

Friday night rolls around, new movies are released, parties are going on, sleepovers organized, and sports games take over the gyms. Luckily for the students of Campbell County High School, their average Friday night is about to be shaken up. On May 21^st at Lasting Legacy Park, the community is welcome to take part in Night of Nets, which begins at 7 pm.

            Night of Nets is an all-night sleepover in Lasting Legacy Park to bring in money and awareness about malaria in Africa. Over two thousand children a day are killed from malaria, the deadly disease that results from a mosquito bite. The real tragedy is that this epidemic is 100% preventable. To combat the hordes of malaria causing mosquitoes, the youth of Gillette are hosting a Night of Nets to raise money through donations for the $6 bug nets that will save thousands of lives.

“It’s a good cause: an opportunity to give young people to make a difference and to be known for something good,” said Pastor Travis Shannon of High Plains Community Church. Once the money has been collected and sent off to World Vision, this international organization is in charge of delivering the bed nets to people in Africa.

            “We will be doing so much stuff,” said junior Keith Krajnik, an active member in the organization of the Night of Nets. There are rumors of ultimate Frisbee, crazy dodgeball, the movie When the Night Comes (a story about people affected by malaria), and other fun activities. If the weather is bad, then everyone will be moved into the High Plains Community Church and there will be fun indoor activities to do such as a talent show, three-point contest, and butt volleyball. Other key members are senior Taylor Hardy and Kris Nemec and juniors Angie Benson, Shaylie Brown, Lauren Seamans, and Taylor Young.

“We should give back when God has given us so much,” said Benson for her reason for joining the Night of Nets. And she isn’t alone. Students from every grade and background are signed up.

There is no reason to be nervous about sleeping out at Lasting Legacy Park. The police will be watching over the event, making sure that no troublemakers wander in. This night will be very safe.

             Want to be a part of it? Contact one of the members mentioned above, or show up on Friday at 7 p.m. to enjoy the festivities, but be sure to remember warm clothes, a sleeping bag, and a flashlight.

Donations are more than welcome, since the goal of the night is to raise a total of $12,000 for the benefit of people in Africa. For those of you who collect money from sponsors, be sure to bring it with you on Friday! Come and sleep over or tell everyone you know about it. Either way, don’t forget this major Night of Nets.