6 hours + "hell yeah I can change the world" attitude = $1,200 and improving lives in Uganda
Here's to all the students who made it Possible!
(and this is where Oprah chimes in)
Here's to all the students who made it Possible!
(and this is where Oprah chimes in)
I can honestly say that I have had the honor and privilege to work with a one of a kind senior class at E. O. Smith High School who have motivated their entire community to rise over all odds to create opportunity for others and change lives.
As I reached the 2 week landmark until I leave for Uganda, I received disheartening news: an expected $1,000 donation towards the funding of my volunteer trip was no longer available. An old teacher and friend, Kevin Degnan, spoke of this struggle: "Bryan, this is beautiful. This is your struggle. You are being tested, and you will succeed".
Without even thinking, I hopped in my car and drove to my alma mater, E. O. Smith High School. At the beginning of May I helped mentor and took part in an incredible student-run fundraiser for Haiti. These high school students were able to raise over $10,000 for Roots of Development (an organization in Haiti) and Osmopure (a water purification system) in just 8 hours! My intuitions led me to look for support from these inspiring and driven young adults.
After hearing about my situation, what did they do? The leaped into action. Today, on their very last day of high school EVER, they spent every moment connecting one on one with their peers all around the school.
Study halls. Cafeteria. Hallways. Classes. Team meetings. Club meetings. Bus rides. Maybe even bathroom breaks?
They took every means necessary to spread the word to their peers that one small donation would directly be improving lives in Uganda.
Wallets opened, and out came not flies, but dolla' dolla' bills!
The doors of E. O. Smith open at 7:15, and by 10:45 nearly $700 were raised. I received a phone call at 1:30 and was asked to come to the school. I was greeted by the most influential and passionate people I have every met in my life and in their hands held a jar. A jar that contained $1,210.62.
I know that no other high school, or educational institution for a matter of fact, have amounted to the impact that these students have made on the lives of others.
They have climbed mountains, grown to unobtainable heights, and changed lives. They have changed my life and the lives of the children in Uganda will be changed as well.
There are many people in the world that believe that the youth can't make a difference, yet everyday walking within the halls of this high school are 1,300 students ready to prove the doubtful wrong.
Oprah, are you listening?
World - can't you see? These are the stories that need to be heard. The youth that see the good in humanity and act based on what their hearts tell them.
I am beyond thankful to call you my Friends
Brandi Stenglein
Chelsea Flower
Liz Moynihan
Aileen Yang
Caitie Parmelee
Franny D'Antonio
and to all the other students involved and who donated
As I reached the 2 week landmark until I leave for Uganda, I received disheartening news: an expected $1,000 donation towards the funding of my volunteer trip was no longer available. An old teacher and friend, Kevin Degnan, spoke of this struggle: "Bryan, this is beautiful. This is your struggle. You are being tested, and you will succeed".
Without even thinking, I hopped in my car and drove to my alma mater, E. O. Smith High School. At the beginning of May I helped mentor and took part in an incredible student-run fundraiser for Haiti. These high school students were able to raise over $10,000 for Roots of Development (an organization in Haiti) and Osmopure (a water purification system) in just 8 hours! My intuitions led me to look for support from these inspiring and driven young adults.
After hearing about my situation, what did they do? The leaped into action. Today, on their very last day of high school EVER, they spent every moment connecting one on one with their peers all around the school.
Study halls. Cafeteria. Hallways. Classes. Team meetings. Club meetings. Bus rides. Maybe even bathroom breaks?
They took every means necessary to spread the word to their peers that one small donation would directly be improving lives in Uganda.
Wallets opened, and out came not flies, but dolla' dolla' bills!
The doors of E. O. Smith open at 7:15, and by 10:45 nearly $700 were raised. I received a phone call at 1:30 and was asked to come to the school. I was greeted by the most influential and passionate people I have every met in my life and in their hands held a jar. A jar that contained $1,210.62.
I know that no other high school, or educational institution for a matter of fact, have amounted to the impact that these students have made on the lives of others.
They have climbed mountains, grown to unobtainable heights, and changed lives. They have changed my life and the lives of the children in Uganda will be changed as well.
There are many people in the world that believe that the youth can't make a difference, yet everyday walking within the halls of this high school are 1,300 students ready to prove the doubtful wrong.
Oprah, are you listening?
World - can't you see? These are the stories that need to be heard. The youth that see the good in humanity and act based on what their hearts tell them.
I am beyond thankful to call you my Friends
Brandi Stenglein
Chelsea Flower
Liz Moynihan
Aileen Yang
Caitie Parmelee
Franny D'Antonio
and to all the other students involved and who donated
Coming from a school where an act of kindness like this is unheard of, I applaud you E. O. Smith. I am sure you are all aware of how incredible Bryan Funk is, but this has not only changed the lives of those in Uganda, but has changed Bryans life as well. This remarkable gesture will help Bryan continue down his humanitarian path to change the world, one country at a time. Thank you for your compassion.
ReplyDelete