Youth Philanthropy Initiative Comes to an Exciting Conclusion

9 May 2011blake.gage

On Wednesday, May 5, the entire Grade 9 class assembled in the Lecture Theatre to witness the final presentations of the Youth Philanthropy Initiative. For this project the students had selected a social need that they were interested in and then chose a local grassroots charity that helps address this social need.
To gain greater insight into the charity, students set up site visits and conducted interviews with charity workers and members of the community who use the services provided. With the research complete, groups put together a 10 minute presentation on their charity and how a $5,000 grant would help it achieve its mission and better serve its clients.
While there were a number of outstanding presentations in each of the three grade nine classes, only one team from each class made it to the Wednesday night final. The three charities represented were the Cowichan Valley Hospice Society, Aids Vancouver Island, and the Cowichan Valley Basket Society. All three groups delivered impressive overviews of their perspective charities and made compelling cases for how the community would benefit should they win the grant.
After a great deal of deliberation, our panel of distinguished judges decided that the group of Parker G, Liam K, Nambi M and Aetheline C had delivered the most impressive presentation and it was a delight to see them receive a cheque for $5,000 awarded to Aids Vancouver Island on their behalf. The energy and excitement in the theatre was exhilarating and all involved appeared to thoroughly enjoy both the project and the evening. A special thanks to Stephanie Massot and the Toscan Foundation for providing our school with this opportunity and to our panel of judges – Anthony S, Ashley W, Mrs. Andrea Felix and Mr. Dave McCarthy – who volunteered their time during such a busy part of the year. Congrats to the entire Grade 9 class for embracing such a meaningful initiative!
Mr. Blake Gage, Proud Teacher

Where Students Choose To Be