Four Ontario High Schools Win in Lakehead University's Do Something Contest
In the fall of 2007, Lakehead University’s
Do Something contest challenged high schools and individual students to do something about issues affecting the world as well as their own community. These issues included climate change, pollution, poverty, and war. They were asked to submit evidence of their actions for a chance to win one of three grand prizes – a carefully selected library of books on environmental and social change.
Lakehead recently announced the high school grand prize winners. They are: Galt Collegiate Institute (Cambridge), Elliot Lake Secondary School (Elliot Lake, Northern Ontario), West Hill Secondary School (Owen Sound), and Barrie North Collegiate (Barrie).
Eleanor Abaya, Director of Communications at Lakehead University says, “We were so pleased with the quality of these entries. It is obvious that there are many young people committed to effecting change both locally and globally, and they get inspiration and support not only from their teachers and principals who lead by example, but also from their community. These are the types of students we want at Lakehead University.”
HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL
At the high school level, the contest offered three grand prizes of a start-up “green” library comprising approximately 35 books, including titles such as An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore, Blue Gold by Maude Barlow, Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, and Race Against Time by Stephen Lewis.
Do Something t-shirts were also provided for each participating team. In Cambridge, Ontario, students at Galt Collegiate Institute focused on social issues, following the mandate to “Give what you can but be sure that you give with passion.” Galt Collegiate has been actively involved in creating positive change for years, with efforts including the adoption of a polar bear, sponsoring a child from the Dominican Republic, and fundraising for HIV/AIDS research. Teacher Brenda Stromberg says, “This contest is exactly what we are about. By pointing out what we have done, and what we are doing, attention to positive change is achieved.”
Elliot Lake Secondary School has done something for the environment by implementing a variety of energy efficiency initiatives, including the installation of solar panels, a wind turbine, and solar thermal collectors to heat water. Students planted more than 50,000 trees on de-commissioned mine tailing areas. Computer-controlled high-efficiency boilers have been installed in the school, as well as high-efficiency lights, and all the windows in the school have been replaced with higher r-value glazing. “This has been an exciting year for us,” says Lindsay Killen, Head of Social Sciences at ELSS. “The students are really pleased to have their efforts recognized.”
West Hill Secondary School, located in Owen Sound, Ontario, underwent a major renovation to maximize efficiency, including new boilers and the replacement of heating and air ducts. Over 250 West Hill students participated in their annual “Operation Green Sweep,” a project designed to keep garbage and debris off the escarpment trail bordering the City of Owen Sound. Bernice Payne, principal of West Hill says, “Thank you for the opportunity for students to participate in a project that enables them to think critically about their school, and an opportunity which then enables them to promote the things that West Hill Secondary School values. I am extremely proud of the effort which the students have put into this project.”
Finally,
Barrie North Collegiate students tackled issues of climate change, pollution, war, and poverty. Student clubs organized clothing drives, book fairs, and garbage-free lunch days. Students also raised funds for local charities and international organizations, such as UNICEF. Teacher Amanda Metherel says, “A key part of education is learning what our roles and responsibilities are, as global citizens. Students are aware of these important issues, and it creates a sense of optimism to confront them in a positive, hands-on way. Participating in this contest has been a wonderful experience for them.”
Elliot Lake Secondary School and Galt Collegiate Institute received a full prize complement of campaign t-shirts and a library of books; West Hill Secondary School and Barrie North Collegiate shared the award between them.
“Individual winners for the
Do Something contest entries were chosen monthly,” explains Abaya. “Winning high schools were chosen after a careful review of all submissions at the end of the campaign.”
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
Individual winners were chosen each month. The monthly winners won a prize of a
Do Something t-shirt and one of the books listed above.
Vino Jeyapalan, an eleventh-grade, 17-year-old student at Markham’s Markville Secondary School, was chosen as the
Do Something winner for the month of November, 2007. Vino’s extra-curricular activities included working with the
Youth Environmental Network of York Region, for which he coordinated educational initiatives and youth programming throughout the York Region—all in an effort to spread the word about environmental issues. The group’s initiative was endorsed by the Town of Markham and Mayor Frank Scarpitti, and the organized events received substantial sponsorship interest from local businesses.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS – AND OTHERS
It is interesting to note that although the
Do Something contest was directed to high school students, at least one elementary school got excited by the concept and asked to be included in the contest. The contest panel decided to allow Carruthers Public School to enter the contest, and had it been chosen a winner, a special prize would have been created and awarded. Still, another school wrote in to say they were not happy with the video component of their project and wanted to know if the competition would run again so they could submit a proper entry at that time.
“Our educational environment is rich in thought and the generation of ideas,” says Dr. Fred Gilbert, President of Lakehead University. “Through awareness building and information sharing, the
Do Something campaign has presented several messages. It allows interested parties of all ages and from various backgrounds to learn more about the actions that their peers, colleagues, and fellow community members are taking to tackle these important issues. It also reaffirms some of the principles espoused in Lakehead’s Mission Statement.”
Lakehead University’s
Do Something advertising campaign won the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE) Prix d’Excellence Gold Award for Best Ad or Best Advertising Campaign, awarded in June 2007. The campaign won over all advertising entries from member universities and colleges across Canada.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS AND ALL SCHOOLS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS CONTEST.
