Campus wide, students are rushing to compile canned food for their fourth period classes as part of Paly’s annual food drive to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Paly’s reigning food drive champion, social studies teacher Steve Foug, is favored for the win. However, there are many competing classes looking to out-can him. Head of the Paly food drive and special education teacher Marco Dondero said, "[Foug] has some strong competition this year and he may not make the cut. His strongest competitors this year are teachers Linda Hildrith, Judy Hasselback, Kaye Paugh, and myself."

Foug has been a history teacher at Paly for 6 years, participating in the Paly community as a football coach, a history teacher, and as the Interact club sponsor. One of Foug’s most favored accomplishments, however, comes off the field and out of the classroom. Foug is most proud of having won the annual Paly food drive for the past three years. Foug’s first year participating in the food drive in 1998, he took an honorable third place. His second year, he took second place and his third year, he dominated. After his big win in 2000, he has yet to lose.

The Paly food drive began in November. The drive has been a Paly tradition for over twenty years, according to Dondero who runs the drive. The food donated by fourth period classes is given to the Second Harvest Food bank to supply less fortunate families with food around the holidays.

In order to bring in more food and motivate classes, the food drive was turned into a competition for fourth period classes. The goal for this year’s food drive is 1,500- 2,000 pounds of food. For the competition’s purpose, $1.00 is the equivalent of 1 pound.

Foug started to give the food drive a new energy when he began bringing in record amounts of food. Foug does not plan on leaving his winning tradition and if he comes out on top this year, it will be his fourth.

His strategy? "Tell [your class] early about winning and they will get excited," according to Foug.

Many Paly teachers have made it their goal to beat Foug and some have come close in past years. When it comes time to turn in the cans, however, Foug always manages to make it a win. "He definitely likes to bate people," Dondero said of Foug’s last minute wins.

English teacher Mike McNulty also believes that it is time for another class to win. "I think it is about time that someone knocked coach Foug off his lofty perch," McNulty joked. " The arrogance he has displayed for the past 2 years becomes slightly over-bearing."

Foug has no problem admitting to these accusations. "I do bate people," Foug said. " I always get them in the end though."

Foug says he has played fair for all his participating years. "People say I cheat, they say I donate money," Foug said. "I don’t. Honestly, it’s not me. I’ve been very lucky and have had motivated fourth period classes that really get involved."

On occasion, Foug concedes that it’s not all about winning, it’s really about the charity. "I’ve won three years in a row," Foug said. "I’m a champion. My winning really motivates my class and other classes to bring in huge amounts of food. We get more total donation from everyone."