{"id":1967,"date":"2013-06-12T07:59:14","date_gmt":"2013-06-12T14:59:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/redshoezone.ca\/?p=1967"},"modified":"2016-04-16T11:02:54","modified_gmt":"2016-04-16T18:02:54","slug":"big-lesson-from-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ohmywordjournal.com\/redshoezone\/big-lesson-from-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"Big lesson from teens"},"content":{"rendered":"

You never know who your teachers will be. Sometimes it’s an unexpected surprise.<\/p>\n

There were twenty of them, all students at my neighborhood high school \u2013 Elgin Park Secondary in Surrey, British Columbia. They had come together to create a legacy. Most were graduating and wanted to leave a mark in the school and community before moving on. \u00a0They had a mentor, one exceptional teacher with a passion for youth and leadership — PE Department head Sue Janzen.<\/p>\n

They began in February and were in the planning and organizational process until last Wednesday, when everything came to fruition, it was event day! They called it CYCLE4:ER – a 12 hour spin-a-thon \u2013 raising money and awareness for the local hospital\u2019s Emergency Room expansion. The gymnasium was alive with non-stop activity and energy from 8 am \u2013 8 pm. More than 700 people participated from students to business leaders, medical personnel, families and seniors. \u00a0People were moving and active, focused on healthy living. The multi-generational theme unified members of the community in a common cause and forged new friendships.<\/p>\n

The icing on the cake \u2013 when all pledge sheets were in and envelopes of cash and cheques counted \u00a0a whopping $48,600.00 was raised!<\/p>\n

Pretty outstanding! \u00a0But as awesome as it is, that\u2019s not what they taught me.<\/p>\n

What I learned from them was bigger…. it was how<\/em> <\/strong>they did it!<\/p>\n

Lesson #1- Be driven by passion<\/b><\/p>\n

After careful consideration the students decided the Peace Arch Hospital Emergency expansion would be their focus and benefactor. They came to the conclusion after asking themselves, \u201cWutz the ER done 4 U?\u201d The tally revealed 4 concussions treated, numerous wounds stitched, 8 broken bones set and 3 lives saved…that cinched it. \u00a0They visited the hospital, talked to staff, produced a CYCLE4:ER promotional video<\/a> and told the story over and over making others aware of the need and importance. They were driven by passion.<\/p>\n

Lesson #2 \u2013 Say YES!<\/b><\/p>\n

I attended many of the leadership team meetings. As you can imagine there were many parts to creating an event of this magnitude. Team members had to step up, take responsibility and lead….often in areas they knew little about and had no experience in. What I heard again and again was \u201cYES, I can do that!\u201d\u00a0 Fearlessly learning as they went…..cold calling on potential sponsors, creatively coming up with 12 hours of non-stop entertainment, inspiring 700 people to participate and raise money, figuring out a logistics \u00a0and IT plan for the day, professionally promoting the event at a community Gala….. and that\u2019s just for starters.<\/p>\n

Lesson #3 \u2013 It takes a TEAM<\/b><\/p>\n

Many of the team members were also on school sport teams vying for regional and provincial titles, some were deep in the college application process, all were in the thick of classes and exams…. these were busy kids. But they always maintained their commitment to the leadership team. They knew a team is inter-connected and success relied on everyone carrying through on what they had committed to.<\/p>\n

Lesson #4 \u2013 Roll with everything<\/b><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t always smooth sailing…the team ran into their share of obstacles….hiccups they didn\u2019t expect. They paused only long enough to acknowledge the situation and then got to work on a solution and a new course of action. \u00a0They rolled with everything that came their way and moved forward with optimism and humour!<\/p>\n

Lesson #5 \u2013 Celebrate every success<\/b><\/p>\n

At every meeting they took time to hear an update from every team member …every success big or small was celebrated with a quick WAHOOO and applause. These celebrations paved the way for more success!<\/p>\n

Lesson #6 – Express thanks<\/b><\/p>\n

I\u2019m not sure how many sponsors they had in the end but I\u2019m guessing about 50. These companies and individuals provided prizes, food, spin bikes and were integral to the event\u2019s success. Their contributions reinforced the message that we accomplish great things not alone but in the company of others. \u00a0Expressing thanks became a priority and opportunities were created to thank and showcase those who supported and helped make it happen.<\/p>\n

Lesson #7 – BELIEVE<\/b><\/p>\n

Kids are great they will never tell you why something can\u2019t be done only that it CAN<\/strong><\/em>. These youthful leaders believed they could do it…..create an event that would draw hundreds of people…create an event that would inspire and unify a community and be FUN……..create an event that would raise BIG money for a hospital that they believed had, \u201cnever let us down.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The CYCLE4:ER leadership team succeeded on more levels than they know. \u00a0They gave peers role models they could aspire to. They brought pride to an entire school. They inspired, gave hope and warmed the hearts of a community. They got the hospital foundation fired up and seeing new possibilities. They created……a legacy.<\/p>\n

On the day of the spin-a-thon I heard the same question asked over and over, \u201cA group of kids did this?????\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

YES, they did!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special acknowledgement goes to to student leaders\u2026 Jane Peng, Maha Nagaria and Jason Abelson… the cropping on the blog photo template automatically narrows the sides of photo where they were standing. Although not shown all 3 were vital members of leadership team!<\/p>\n

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