A barrel dressed as a Mustang now sits atop the frozen waters of Munising Bay near Munising Middle/High School, marking the launch of the inaugural Mustang Melt Fundraiser.
As temperatures shift, participants are placing their best guesses on when the ice will break and send the barrel plunging into the bay.
The event, created by Amy Heribacka, secretary at Munising Middle/High School, is designed to engage the community while raising funds for student initiatives.
Inspired by the annual Teal Lake Meltdown, Heribacka saw an opportunity to bring a similar event to Munising but quickly learned the process was more complicated than expected.
“I thought this would be as simple as putting a barrel on the ice and taking guesses, but it became much more,” Heribacka said. “I had to go through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy for approval, submit detailed plans, and wait months for permits. Then, the first year, the ice was gone before we could even launch; and last year, we didn’t have enough ice. Now, finally, we’re here, and I couldn’t be more excited to see the community getting involved.”
The fundraiser is structured as a 50-50 competition in which participants purchase a $5 ticket and submit their prediction for when the Mustang barrel will fall through the ice.
The closest guess wins 50 percent of the total funds raised, while the other 50 percent supports the school’s student recognition programs. The proceeds will help fund academic awards, middle school rewards days, attendance incentives and other student success initiatives.
“This fundraiser is a great example of how we can involve the community in supporting our students,” said Nicole Lasak, principal at Munising Middle/High School. “We want our students to feel valued, and events like this reinforce that. When students see their community invested in them, it makes a lasting impact.”
That investment in students is showing results. Munising Public Schools have seen measurable academic growth in recent years, with students making gains in key subjects such as math and literacy.
Targeted intervention programs, including Reflex Math and i-Ready, have helped improve student performance, while attendance- focused initiatives have reduced chronic absenteeism.
At the elementary level, growth in math proficiency has outpaced state averages, and middle and high school students continue to make strides toward higher academic achievement and engagement.
For Heribacka, this fundraiser is about more than just raising money; it’s about celebrating students and giving them the recognition they deserve.
“I love seeing our students succeed, and this fundraiser will give us even more opportunities to celebrate them,” Heribacka said. “Whether it’s an academic award, a special recognition for good attendance or just a moment to highlight a student’s hard work, these are the things that make a difference. Knowing the community is coming together to support them makes this even more special.”
The event launched Sunday, and word is spreading quickly. Heribacka was interviewed by “My UP Mornings” anchor Becca Bartelme, who is also the assistant news director at My UP News, and the fundraiser was featured on Tuesday morning’s newscast. With local media interest and a wave of social media engagement, participation is expected to grow as excitement builds.
Those interested can enter by scanning the QR code on the official flyer or visiting bit.ly/MustangMelt. Guesses must be paid in advance to be valid, and participants can enter as many times as they’d like.
Follow along on Facebook and Instagram at @MustangMelt for updates, photos and ice condition reports.
