From Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools

Each year the graduating class from École Secondaire Notre Dame High School chooses a charity to raise funds for through their Grad Service Project.  This year Kerry Wood Nature Centre was chosen as the recipient of monies raised.

One hundred per cent of the funds raised will go to support nature play programming, Nature for New Canadians programs and to expand the Nova Chemicals Imagination Grove Nature PlaySpace. The students’ goal is to raise $40,000 for Kerry Wood Nature Centre.

“Students were excited to choose a charity that can impact everyone in our community. They love the idea of families getting outside to play, learn and spend time together while reconnecting with nature,” saidPrincipal, Rose McQuay at École Secondaire Notre Dame High School.      

Grad Service Project week will take place on March 9 – 14. Each day, teams of a teacher and six students will work together to compete in challenges and earn points. The final days of the will be the biggest competition, where student teams along with a team parent will compete in a 23-hour extreme scavenger hunt throughout Red Deer. The challenge is to collect all 2020 items on the list. Prizes will be awarded to the teams that earn the most points and for those that raise the most money.

For more information about the École Secondaire Notre Dame High School grad service project, please visit notredamehigh.ca

École Secondaire Notre Dame High School serves about 1130 Grade 10 to 12 students in Lancaster subdivision in southeast Red Deer. As a learning institution, the École Secondaire Notre Dame High School is committed to serving students with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings.

Grade 12 students at St. Joseph High School have chosen to support the Hospice Society of Red Deer through their Grad Service project. The Grad Committee chose the Hospice Society to raise awareness and support the families going through this difficult stage of life.

“We are so excited to be raising funds and awareness for the Hospice Society of Red Deer this year! Our students chose the aging community as an area they would like to focus on as it aligned with their issues-of-interest they identified and with our faith journey as a school. Helping those during this difficult time in their lives is something our grad committee is very passionate about and I look forward to seeing what this year brings as we kick-off our third grad service project,” said Grad Service Project Coordinator, Ashley Visscher at St. Joseph High School.

Through the Grad Service Project, students have the opportunity to volunteer at the Hospice Society of Red Deer and spend time with residents. This includes sharing their own gifts and talents with patients, as well as assisting with the annual Hospice Society Gala in March 2020.

“We are very excited to assist the Hospice Society of Red Deer this year because their work reflects the values we believe are important in choosing a charity, such as community, assisting senior citizens, as well as helping those who are struggling with health problems,” said Emily Cassels, Marian Canas and Bryanne Wandler, students at St. Joseph High School.

“We at the Red Deer Hospice are so thankful to the grad committee at St. Joseph High School. The fact that young students would select hospice among a number of worthy charities in our community, makes a profound statement about our youth today. To support the Expansion of our Home and our end of life palliative care for our residents, says that students care and respect the care we provide our increasingly aging senior population,” said Chairman James McPherson, Board of Directors of the Red Deer Hospice.

St. Joseph High School serves over 725 Grade 10 to 12 students in Red Deer. As a learning institution, the St. Joseph High School is committed to serving students with a complete offering of learning opportunities delivered within the context of Catholic teachings.