After their prom got cancelled, GCVI (Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute) students decided that the best way to spend their fundraised money is to donate it to Canadian charities.
The student-run GCVI Grad Committee fundraised $1,000 through various means such as bake sales and selling grad wear clothing up until the pandemic hit. The money allocated for prom was intended to cover the costs of props, decorations, photo booths and extra supplies for the event.
"Not having prom this year was obviously very upsetting, as it is a traditional milestone of your highschool experience," said student chair member of the grad committee, Abbey Turner.
"For a generous percentage of our graduating class who are moving onto post-secondary, it was our last event as a group to celebrate our achievements."
The committee donated $250 each to CanadaHelps, Food Banks Canada and the Guelph Black Heritage Society on behalf of the 2020 graduating class at GCVI.
It also set aside a $250 scholarship fund to be awarded to a student during the fall commencement.
"We have been extremely blessed and fortunate to have had the opportunity to fundraise, and felt it was fitting to donate it to places that are both struggling and need our support during this time," said Turner.
"All of these charities are vital to the wellbeing of not only our city but to Canada as a whole, and we felt as though our support could make a difference."
Karissa Lawrenson, a teacher advisor to the grad committee said the students' actions made her extremely proud.
“When we got the official word from the board that proms were cancelled, all I did, I just emailed the girls and I said okay we have this money, we have some options of things to do with it, they have the choice to just roll it in so next years grads have it, but they decided to divide it into the charities and the scholarship fund,” said Lawrenson.
Lawrenson said although the students will receive a formal commencement ceremony, there is no way for the school board to accommodate a prom.
“I was really proud that instead of holding on to the disappointment that they don’t have this experience, they decided to make the best of the situation,” said Lawrenson.
“It reflects how compassionate and empathetic and frankly just how awesome students at GCVI are.”
