There are many outstanding examples of students making a difference in the community, such as Aubrey Elementary, where they raised almost $4,000 for the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. Burnaby Mountain’s Dance Showcase delighted its audience while raising $3,000 for BC Children’s Hospital. The Leadership Committee at Brentwood Park Elementary held several fundraisers including an entrepreneur sale where they sold items they created – all resulting in more than $2,000 for Canuck Place Children’s Hospice. Grade 4/5 students started a business at Clinton Elementary called the Snack Shack as part of their focus on careers. They earned more than $1,500 in sales that they donated to the BC Cancer Foundation for children’s cancer facilities.
Parkcrest Elementary held a campaign for the Heart and Stroke Foundation as part of Jump Rope for Heart. To celebrate raising almost $1,600, they held a water relay that ended with dumping a bucket of water on their principal. Gilmore Community School students have also been busy. They collected more than $2,500 for the Canucks Autism Network. Additionally, senior students held a Young Entrepreneur Show and donated some of their profits from the sales of their handmade items. Grade 7 twin sisters Iman and Khaliya contributed $100 of their earnings to an organization that helps girls around the world access education.
Students at the Youth Hub won first place in a province-wide Return-It contest, after creating and constructing a recycling campaign. Confederation Park Elementary students organized a metal recycling event. Because all metal has value, they were able to raise money for the Burnaby Neighbourhood House. Several schools, including Inman and Twelfth Avenue Elementary, participated in Bike to School Week, benefiting the environment.
Two secondary students were honoured with City of Burnaby Environmental Awards for their exceptional contributions to the community. President of the Earthwise Club at Burnaby Mountain Secondary for two years, Caio Conradt has led the work at school in raising awareness on topics such as pollution, ocean acidification, and fast fashion. The club also brings gardening and environmental connection not only to the students of Burnaby Mountain, but also to the elementary schools through its work in their greenhouse. Ziya Merchant launched a campaign called Phase Out Plastic Bottles through the Social Justice Club at Burnaby South Secondary. The campaign has grown into a grassroots organization reaching more than 15 schools across Canada, and even branching into the United States.
Posted June 2023