RYLA

This spring, the Steveston Rotary sponsored several students to attend RYLA, a leadership camp. Here is one such students experiences:

Four Days.  Four days was all it took to bring together 104 passionate youth for a spectacular weekend. The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) 2013 took place from April 5-8 at Camp Jubilee.  RYLA is a Rotary sponsored leadership training program for young individuals focusing on leadership, citizenship, and personal growth.  RYLA South is offered to students from Grades 10-12 sponsored by Rotary Clubs in District 5040.  It provides leadership training through workshops, team building through camp activities, and networking opportunities for the future.  This year, McMath had a strong representation at RYLA, sending 9 members of the Interact Club (3 of which attended in previous years) to partake in this wonderful opportunity.  There were also 2 members of the staff that graduated from McMath last year. 

Being surrounded by like-minded individuals for the weekend allowed an enriching positive environment while learning more about ourselves and our part in the community.  We were exposed to volunteer opportunities abroad as well as ways we can make a difference in our local communities.  We sat in on workshops that focused on an array of topics that include ethics, success, and communication styles.

This year was unlike all else as there was a surprise for everyone on the final day.  All weekend we were practicing a dance to perform at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the Monday.  The flashmob promoted a local artist, Kuba Oms, RYLA, and the Rotary.  It was great to get our name out to the community and show them how passionate the youth of today is.  We ended off the weekend with service projects in the Downtown Eastside.  Groups went to the Salvation Army, Foot Clinic, Union Gospel Mission, and the Women's Resource Centre to apply what we learned.  We even walked down the streets handing out meal tokens.  It was truly an eye-opening experience.

Special thanks the Rotary Clubs of Steveston, Richmond Sunrise, and Ladner for sponsoring us to attend this year! 

OH! And look out for us as we will appear in Kuba's music video release of his upcoming song!  :)

FLASHMOB: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumFd6M6UJ4

Written by Katrina Tan, RYLA participant

Covenant House

 

The McMath Interact club is starting up another project for 2013 and we want you help!


Our current focus is on an organization called Covenant House.  They are the only   group that caters to Vancouver’s estimated 700 street youth by providing a safe environment where they provide them with food, shelter, clothing and counselling.  By meeting youth’s needs and providing a structured sanctuary, youth can learn the importance of communication and the power they have to make life-changing decisions so that they can live independently


Because Covenant House receives the majority of their donations during the Christmas season, they begin to run short on donations come spring and summer so, the Interact Club is hosting a spring clothing and toiletry drive at McMath Secondary from March 4th - 14th 2013.  Through these donations, these teens are able not only build their self-confidence but, they are able to feel like they are living like a normal teenager which many of them do not experience due to their living situations. 


We will be accepting any teenage-oriented clothing (new or gently used would be greatly appreciated) or unused, unopened toiletries you might have to contribute to our project.  All donations we receive will be given directly to Covenant House. Your donations will be appreciated and enjoyed by the homeless youth of Vancouver. We will be happy to pick up donations at your convenience.


Thank you very much for considering the opportunity to assist us with this project. If you have any questions regarding the project, please do not hesitate to contact us at mcmathcovenanthouseproject2013@live.com

We Are Love

During the week of Valentine's Day McMath's Interact Club hosted Free The Children's "We Are Love" project. We fundraised close to $260 by selling pins and corresponding cards for $2 each with a free baked good. Each pin and card promoted an aspect of love that also correlated to an aspect of Free The Children's vision towards helping others in need. For example, "Love is Learning, and you're my favourite subject." associates love with the importance of providing education to children all over the world. McMath's Interact Club and this project committee is proud to say that this event was a great success!

Written by Jocelyn Lau, Project Chair

CARE Wrap Up

One of Interact’s local projects, CARE Club, has recently ended their very successful BC Children’s Hospital Toy Drive. Rounding up many boxes full of new games, toys, books and many other things, they were able to put smiles on the faces of Vancouver’s sick children in the oncology ward for Valentine’s Day. The CARE club would like to thank every McMath teacher and student that contributed to this amazing project, especially Mrs. Ritchie and Mrs. Simonson who were key sponsors in the Toy Drive’s success. It has been an amazing experience working together with a great group of people to help those who are most in need.

 

CPR Training

CPR can save the life of someone you love.

20 McMath students successfully acquired certification in CPR on January 22nd ... thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Steveston Rotary. Instructor Mark Kozlowski of Life Consultants led the 3 hour interactive workshop which provided participants with basic knowledge and skills necessary to respond quickly with confidence to a variety of life-threatening breathing and heart-related emergencies in ADULTS. Thank you Steveston Rotary !!!

Written by Ms. Dianne Smonson, our Fearless Leader

Project Warmth

Dear McMath Interact Club members,

Project Warmth would not have been successful without your efforts and support! Every step you took to help with our project goes a long way and should be recognized. We appreciate all your kind hearts and dedication whether it be attending our group meetings, making posters, coming to school early to supervise the collection of donations, and of course, the labour work required to transport the incredible amount of donations! The results of 40+ boxes of clothing and toiletries were far beyond our expectations!







A special thank you to...

KATRINA TAN, CHRIS YAN, AND ALLAN GUAN for lending their helping hands (or should I say, cars) for Project Warmth as well as GABE RODER from the Vancouver Fire Department for transporting the truck full of donations to Union Gospel Mission.




It has been a crazy 3 weeks of planning and I am so proud to have witnessed our success throughout the project and especially our heart-warming display of teamwork on the last day of school before winter break! It sure feels nice to know that we were able to help make the cold holidays a little warmer for those less fortunate.







So again, thank you Ms. Jamal, Ms. Simonson, Vancouver Fire Department, and the team for your guys' support!


Warm regards,

Yanessa Lee and Nicole Lam
Interact UGM Co-Chairs