In a world where negativity and chaos seem to dominate, students from our local schools are bright lights who provide hope for the future.
Students in St. Albert area school divisions are learning to contribute to make the world a better place. In addition to their normal studies, they devote time to fundraising, literacy, social justice and other community service projects. Along the way they learn to take leadership and be more caring and engaged citizens. There are many examples of student efforts making a difference.
Last week students at Bellerose Composite High School staged their 14th bikeathon for cancer research raising a $280,000 in the 48-hour event. Since its inception the bikeathon has raised a staggering $2 million for cancer research.
More than 200 students from Leo Nickerson School participated in the 15th annual Hair MassaCure last month. Students at Leo Nickerson have the distinction of being the top donating school for four years straight among dozens of schools that participate in the fundraiser for cancer.
In addition to fundraising for various causes, Sturgeon County schools are among the schools that offer Seeds of Empathy and Roots of Empathy programs that encourage caring attitudes in students at early ages.
The Greater St. Albert Catholic Regional Division makes social justice part of its mission. For more than ten years students have been including messages of hope to inmates at Christmas time. Recently, Ă©cole Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville launched a colouring book to raise money for area literacy through its ESSMY Interact Club, a student version of the Rotary club.
These are just a few of the examples where teachers and schools are engaging students to be socially conscious, and improve their schools, communities and indeed the world around them.
Many students who are making a difference are not lauded with money, prizes or even publicity as they give back in such service as school safety patrol, anti-bullying, or recycling efforts. The projects, guided by teachers and parents, often go on quietly with little fanfare. Yet each of those projects help students learn that they have the power to make positive changes for themselves and others.
Turning out socially conscious people who are equipped to make a difference in the real world is a tall order. Teachers, parents and schools have a difficult job. They are often criticized for what they are not doing, but they are getting many things right.
These individual and collective efforts are teaching leadership skills, and instilling empathy and respect for self and others. Along the way they are creating more engaged, caring and empowered citizens. When students succeed it can strengthen their sense of community and help them learn new skills that they can apply as adults in their careers or civic life.
The students of today are learning the skills needed to be effective leaders of tomorrow and the world needs more caring and engaged citizens. Now that is a future worth celebrating.
