For Ariana Lim, Class of 2022 treasurer, making up for the past year was a top priority when coming up with ideas for class fundraisers. “This [fundraiser] is really exciting,” Lim said, “especially since we missed out on all our junior traditions due to the pandemic.” To ensure senior events such as prom, white-water rafting, and a yearbook signing party can take place this year, Class Advisor Carrie Quinn suggested the Gold Card. Although the idea was initially introduced for the Class of 2018, this year’s class advisors, Quinn and Megan Langan, rebranded the idea for the Class of 2022.

The Gold Card is a discount card for popular local businesses and restaurants. One card costs $20 and is valid from the time of purchase through September 1, 2022. In order to receive the discount, the Gold Card must be present at every purchase; however, the card cannot be used for online delivery services such as Uber Eats or Grubhub. 

For some students, the Gold Card has become a necessity when leaving school to eat lunch. “The card makes it super convenient to go out with friends during my lunch and not feel guilty about spending a ton of money,” said senior Samantha Kosmark. “There are options for everyone and it is a helpful way to save money while still going out since the card offers so many great deals.”

In some cases, it has even become a life-saver, especially for senior Jodie Byun when she and her friends realized they did not bring enough money to pay for dinner. However, one of her friends had purchased a gold card when it first went on sale, and it bumped the price way down. “[The Gold Card] really did save our lives that day,” said Byun.  

Gold Cards are available for purchase in F216 before and after school, or from 4 to 6 p.m. in front of the school. Class advisors and the senior officers will be selling the cards to all NVOT students and faculty until October 4.