Cassidy Bleskie
Ponoka Outreach School:
The Ponoka Outreach School held its 8th annual pancake breakfast today at the Ponoka Outreach School building. Anticipation spread throughout the town as planning and coordinating began to take place with preparations for the big event; being three to four weeks prior to the actual date.
The pancake breakfast like the perogy dinner are two fundraisers that have the proceeds going toward awards and scholarships for the Awards and Grad Night in June.
Your entrance ticket received when entering the building, also became your draw ballot ticket, giving everyone who attended a chance to win among many of the great prizes donated by local community businesses. Some of these prizes included a gift certificate, candles, a Creative Memories package, a Stampin’ Up package, and many, many more.
“Students, parents and staff work very hard to make this day a success”, said Lawrence Hrycan; principal of the Ponoka Outreach School. “Everyone seems to enjoy the food and the company.” The event always seems to leave him with a smile on his face at the end of that tough, fast paced three and a half hour period which seems to race right on by; however, hardly a moment goes by when he isn’t smiling.
This event was made possible by not just the teachers and principal at the Ponoka Outreach, but also parents of students and community members. The School Council help in formulating and planning many other events and fundraisers for the school, as the school division encourages School Councils to build a supportive school community and to advocate on behalf of the school. It is a means for parents and community members to work together with the school to support and enhance student learning.
Mr. Hrycan isn’t the only one who seems to notice the enthusiasm among people toward the event; Val Jones, school secretary says “The students are very excited, our Jr. High help with the serving at the pancake breakfast”.
The support of the community and local businesses is always extremely heart warming to everyone that help kick off this event, without them the breakfast would not be as successful as it always is year after year. It is because of them that we can continue to look forward to the pancake breakfast next year and all the years to come.
Lorrie Jess, Board Chair and Trustee for Ponoka stated, ““I feel our community has a vested interest in the education of our youth. This community has assumed a special responsibility for the support of the Outreach School’s pancake breakfast. I have been a volunteer with the pancake breakfast for the past four years and have always been impressed with the hard work and efforts put into this event by the students.” It is a proven fact; the community cares about the actions that young people decide to portray not just within the town of Ponoka, but the world.
Students - I would like to encourage you to become involved with your student’s school council by calling your school. It is an important role and an exciting opportunity to help and become the official word within your school. As Gandhi once said, “be the change you want to see in the world”; or in this case your school.