LONDONDERRY - Sporting their prettiest princess frocks and swashbuckling pirate gear, area children gathered at Londonderry High School on Tuesday night for an evening of costumes, food, games and fun - all for a good cause.

Proceeds from this week's Pirate and Princess Party will help send the staff of the school's Lancer Spirit newspaper to the Scholastic Press Association's annual conference at Columbia University in New York City this spring, staff adviser Mary DeWinkeleer said.

Around 13 of the paper's editors hope to make the trip in late March, DeWinkeleer said, though donations will be needed to assist with the group's travel expenses. Those wishing to help out the school's editorial team may contact DeWinkeleer at mdewinkeleer@londonderry.org.