FEBRUARY:

This month we had a pot luck at Mary's house. We ate and learnt some Espagnol. Mrs. Chalmers came to talk about her experiences in Guatemala (she's been five times). The looks on our parents' faces were hilarious. I think more than a few were a little frightened. We started selling raffle tickets for our last group fundraiser. I made a sign to bring on the trip..

 

   

 

Mr. Koppes has displayed a tree in the Main Office about all the
amazing work Sa-Hali's Me to We has done (we have raised over
$14,000 to date..). He also put all of the OG members on our own
leaves. Check it out:

 Alex Polson and the Me to We Tree.

Next Post!: March

JANUARY:

Flag football didn't really turn out in January...but the month came and went fast. We lost one member (Adrianna) due to some previous commitments. :( On the 17^th, the parents held a dinner at the Fox ‘N Hounds. A huge thanks goes out to all that attended and a special shout out to Laurie Marchand who got everything together!

Next Post!: February 

DECEMBER:

On the first week of December, we held a hypnotist show! Thanks to Teresa for finding a hypnotist and Caitie Ryan for providing the entertainment! 

 

Caitie Ryan, clearly hypnotized..

Over the Christmas break, we had a team-bonding Sledding Day.

Then we went to Avatar. Life changing? Yes. 

Next Post!: January 

NOVEMBER PART II:

We had a booth at Sa-Hali’s first annual Open House. 

Left to Right: Torry, Zander, Adrianna, Riche, Miles, Ali.

Here’s Adrianna and Shane, both looking sharp ;): 

 

We made tons of posters (that were really good I might add..) for the next two fundraising events: milkshakes and candy grams!

Ali and Lyndsey.

Miles and Ali.

Adrianna.

Next Post!: December

NOVEMBER:

The next fundraising events we held was a volleyball tournament concession and a jellybean count. We also had our first Friday night outing as a group:

Left to Right: Torry, Shane, Ali, Miles, Adrianna, Riche.

Next Post!: November Part II

OCTOBER:

At the first Pep Rally we got to formally introduce ourselves to the school. We made a slideshow and told them about what we were doing: 

 

Left to Right: Adrianna, Lyndsey, Riley, Ali, Riche, Torry, Zander, Shane, Sara.

 

"Some people say that they owe nothing to the world, but we disagree. We take so much from the world in everything we do whether it is what we are eating, wearing or throwing out. Our generation is, for the most part, ungrateful for all the privilege we have. We are embarrassed to look at all the things we have and don’t need when others don’t have clean water or even the opportunity to get an education. We have so much and unfortunately give back so little. With this trip, we not only want to help out, we want to inspire many to give back. We are fully committed to trying to make our world a better place."

To watch the full slideshow: doube-click...  http://www.slideshare.net/torryaidan/operation-guatemala-pep-rally-introduction ... and press play!

Next Post!: November 

check it out:

For more information on any DWC trips check out: www.developingworldconnections.org

Next Post!: October 

SEPTEMBER:

In September I found out we were traveling with Mrs. Simpson, Teresa Parisone and Mary Harber-Iles. The core ten students were: 

Riche Leveille (grade 12)

Shane Toporowski (12)

Miles Marchand (11)

Lyndsey Nabata (11)

Sara Fertile (11)

Zander Iles (12)

Adrianna Gunton (11)

Riley MacDonald (11)

Alex Polson (12) 

Torry Harris (12)

Saying I was ecstatic was an understatement. Most of these kids I was already close to and the ones who I wasn’t, I soon would be. Making new friends, creating memories I’ll never forget AND doing what I like to do best?! (which would be volunteering..) This trip was too good to be true.

We quickly became active in the school, spreading the word about our trip and fundraising as much as possible. Here’s us at our first bake sale! 

Left to Right: Lyndsey, Ali, Shane, Torry, Miles, Adrianna, Zander, Sara. 

Next Post! 

AUGUST:

The next month Ali and I hosted a car wash and another hot dog sale. A big thanks goes out to all our friends and family that helped out!

 

Jenna Denison and Hillary Kozak.

 

Alex Polson and Torry Harris.

Next Post!: September 

- - -

"It's easier to be ignorant and say I don't know about the problem. But once you know, once you've seen it in their eyes, then you have a responsibility to do something. There is strength in numbers, and if we all work together as a team, we can be unstoppable."

-Craig Kielburger

Next Post!: August

JULY:

I didn’t know who was going to Guatemala with me yet (I found out in September when the list was finalized), except my good friend Alex (Ali) Polson. In July, I was asked to be on the Midday Show to talk about my trip. It was pretty nerve-wracking.. The following week I hosted by first hot dog sale. This is Taylor-Anne and I first thing in the morning! 

It actually was very successful and very fun. HUGE shout out to my girlfriends and famjam for helping me out! :)

Next Post! 

JUNE:

Our journey has been quite an exciting one. It all started back in June 2009 when we first heard about a group of Sa-Hali students having the opportunity to travel to Guatemala on Spring Break 2010. For me, the decision was always a yes. There was no doubt in my mind that I was going. Even if it meant I had to pay for it myself! (Which it turns out I did..:) ) 

Next Post!: July