Over the past months Oak Harbor residents have been pooling their resources to raise $1 million for a new athletic stadium.

As part of that effort, several high school students were recognized recently for their work in a subscription drive for the Whidbey News-Times that also raised money for a new stadium.

During December, Christina Robinson rounded up 19 subscriptions for the News-Times earning her first place and a $150 gift certificate to Gallery Salon.

Patrick Royce gathered 13 subscriptions for second place and won a television, Samantha Schulock sold 11 subscriptions to earn third place and a $150 gift certificate to the Jewelry Gallery, and Cassandra Lamont gathered five subscriptions for fourth place and earned a desk from Cramer’s Home Furnishings. Fellow student Justin Danyleyko took fifth place with three subscriptions and earned a remote control truck.

Eight students tied for sixth and seventh place and a drawing was held to decide who would win prizes. Andrew Dowling took home a $50 gift certificate to Les Schwab while Robert Hayes earned new luggage.

Winners received their prizes during a “Build the Pride” assembly Friday morning, Jan. 7, at Oak Harbor High School.

The Whidbey News-Times will donate $10 for every annual subscription and $30 for every two-year subscription. Currently 91 subscriptions have been taken for the News-Times. More than $2,000 has been raised for the new stadium through the subscription drive.

During the assembly, Marcia Van Dyke, Whidbey News-Times publisher, said that if every student at the assembly sold a single subscription, then $50,000 would be raised for the stadium.

Memorial Stadium, located on Whidbey Avenue, has seen better days. The bleachers were condemned and torn down in late 2003 and the field’s condition was so poor that the high school varsity football team couldn’t play home playoff games during the 2002 and 2003 seasons.

More than $270,000 has been raised for a new athletic facility in an effort overseen by the Oak Harbor Rotary Club.

Fund-raising continues and so does the prizes for students pushing subscriptions for the Whidbey News-Times. Top prizes next month include an MP3 player, a car stereo and a $150 gift certificate to the Gallery Salon.