Seneca student Keila Qual hams it up, flexing her muscles during half-time of the Donkey Basketball event. That was when she and other 6th- and 7th-graders offered their services Ð cooking, cleaning, housekeeping, babysitting and other chores Ð to the highest bidders. The pupils are Washington, D.C.-bound in spring 2012.

 JOHN DAY Even the most experienced riders of the bunch had a tough time.

 Mounted on donkeys, the Ranchers team rode for laughs and bucks last Friday, Nov. 19 in the Grant Union High School gym all to help the Seneca School PTA.

 Riders also formed the Public Employees team, the Locals team, and the Businesses team.

 All found it a challenge to get their mounts to their teams basket, so they could shoot at the hoop.

 The game drew around 400 people, and raised $1,033, said Cori Anderson, PTA president.

 Seneca PTA will give the money to be used in the classrooms for additional supplies and support with programs.

 In the first game on the court, the Ranchers challenged the team made up of public servants. The Ranchers beat the Public Employees, 10-2.

 The next two teams up were the Locals and the Businesses. The Businesses were victorious.

 The Public Employees faced off with the Locals in the consolation game, and the Public Employees won 8-4.

 In the finals, the Ranchers proved to have the most speed in the saddle. They were able to toss seven successful baskets, racking up 14 points, to the Businesses 6.

 Levi Manitsas, as emcee, spurred on the audience during halftime, when Seneca School 6th- and 7th-graders offered their services cooking, cleaning and chores to the highest bidders. The students will use the money raised, $600, for a trip to Washington, D.C. in spring 2012.

 A chili feed before the games drew about 60 people and raised another $200 for the trip.

 During the four games, Pete Rawlins was the scorekeeper and Wendi Rawlins was timer operator.

 

 The Ranchers included M.T. Anderson and Vanancio Garcia of Inshallah Ranch; Mat Carter and Joe Mitchek of Crown Cattle Co.; Lindsay Bidwell of Izee Ranch; Natalie Weaver of Silvies Valley Ranch; Lucas Moore of Southworth Brothers Ranch; and Jake Taylor of 4J Ranches.

 Representing the Businesses were: David Gill, Chesters Thriftway; Winnie Browning, Blue Mountain Eagle; Megan Gilliam, Snaffle Bit Dinner House; Bobbee Hueckman, A Cut Above; Mike Strong and Matt Randleas of T&H Automotive; Nicole Israel of Jonnas Hair Care; Andy Day and Cory Holland of Andys Plumbing; and Cori Carr of Strawberry Wilderness Clinic.

 Public Employees donkey riders included Rod Willet, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Tim Boethin, U.S. Forest Service; Jina Carniglia, Oregon Department of Agriculture; Thad Labhart, Community Counseling; Todd Smith, Oregon Department of Transportation; Monte Legg, City of John Day; Ryan Joslin and Jeremy Dietrich, Grant County District Attorneys Office; Gary Delaney, Oregon State University Extension Office; and Daniel Pelayo, John Day Police.

 Making up the Locals were Sara Gravem of Valley View Assisted Living; Chely Carpenter and Toya Houpt of Strawberry Wilderness Clinic, Elisa Moore of Bisnett Insurance, Inc.; Mike Cross, Wayne Saul, Brian Gravem, Terry Harper and Tim Nodine of Les Schwab; and Sheryl Griffith of Shell.

 Selling advance tickets were Figaros Pizza, Russells Custom Meats, Hair It Is, and Bear Valley Store.

 T-shirts, done by Strawberry Mountain Graphics, were made possible by sponsorships from Les Schwab, Bisnett Insurance, Crown Cattle Co., Inshallah Ranch and Oregon Telephone Co. Ed Staub & Sons also sponsored the event.