Ishpeming High School recently raised $500 for Philip Barnes, a 1998 graduate now teaching math in the west African nation of Burkina Faso as a Peace Corps volunteer



Ishpeming High School recently raised $500 for Philip Barnes, a 1998 graduate now teaching math in the west African nation of Burkina Faso as a Peace Corps volunteer

ISHPEMING, Mich. (AP) — Local students are helping youngsters in Africa attend school.

The Ishpeming High School National Honor Society, student council and senior class recently raised $500 for Philip Barnes, a 1998 graduate now teaching math in the west African nation of Burkina Faso as a Peace Corps volunteer.

"Phil has set the bar high for us as Ishpeming High School students," said Kristen Freidank, president of the honor society. "By joining the Peace Corps and making a commitment to service, he has encouraged us to do our part to make the world a better place for everyone.

Barnes plans to create a tuition scholarship fund with the money so more children can attend school there, said his father, Jack Barnes.

The $500 will provide a year of tuition for 20 youths, he told The Mining Journal of Marquette for a story Wednesday.