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Wednesday, February 29, 2012 Lake Country Calendar
Community Connection February 2012
Grads shine in the fashion show
On February 22nd at the Creekside Theatre, the Grads had an amazing time strutting the latest fashions, intermixed with some creative skits and fashions from the past, (costumes provided by Theatre Kelowna). With their unique personalities they brought these clothes to life. The Grads would like to
Clockwise top left to bottom left: Mike Warkentin and Julie Guenther in clothes from Boathouse, MC’s Heather Kroschinsky (in a Ten Fashion’s gown) and Jarred Meek in a Black and Lee Tux. Chad Parfitt in a rainsuit from Deviate, Cole Meek in clothes from Wild Mountain, and Amanda Watland wearing Seca Marine.
The battle raged once again at GESS
thank Fusion Hair Studios for their wonderful, stylish creations for all the ladies, as well as Sheila Thornton and Mylene Kilgour, from Mary Kay, and Crystal Badach, from Image Designs, for providing premium make-up services. The parents, staff, students and community of George Elliot all contrib-
uted to this fabulous event which generated over $5000 in revenue for the Grads and Marine Biology (which catered the event). The Silent Auction was supported by stores all the way from Lake Country to Big White which were instrumental in providing beautiful, elegant prizes for
the event. The Rotary Club of Lake Country graciously provided their expertise and time to run this event. Also, the grads would like to thank the parents, staff, students and community of George Elliot. Contributions to this fabulous event generated over $5000 in revenue for the Grads and Marine Biology
(which catered the event). The stores on display for the Fashion show were so generous and kind in lending us clothing and the Class of 2012 is greatly indebted to you for allowing us this opportunity to raise funds while having a fabulous time to on top of that. These stores included: Betty Lou Bou-
tique, Georgie’s Bridal, Rip Curl, Black and Lee, Island Snow, Seca Marine, Bliss Bridal Boutique, It Suits You, Ten Fashions, Boathouse, L’amore, Tip Top Tailors, Brosista, Mantique, Torino’s, Deviate, Warehouse 1, Far West, Melanie Lynn, West 49, George Richard’s, Moores, and Wild Mount-
Bottom left to top right: Brent Lashuk in a tux from It Suits You; Tyler Dreger, Brent Lashuk and Jacob Sigal in Brosista attire; Amanda Homulos in a gown from Betty Lou Boutique.
Adrienne Clark (Georgie’s), Sarah Maryschuk (L’amore), Sara Morgan (Betty Lou Boutique) and Bailey Jamieson (Georgie’s).
Twice a year, English 8 and 9 classes clash in an epic literary battle. On January 12th, the Battle of the Books and the Spelling Bee were fought out in the Creekside Theatre, with victors emerging proud from the battlefield. The Battle of the Books is a crucial Literature Circle initiative that gets students to read far more than they otherwise would and receive the literary skills they need to succeed in higher Grades. A project first brought to GESS by Deena Mcdell 5 years ago and recently revamped with new books and a new qualification format, the Battle of the Books is a 10 week process where each grade is given a choice of 8 books to read over that time span. If they read and study two books, they can earn a spot on the final battle team, providing they make it through the in-class round. These well read teams then face teams from other classes in the theatre to determine the ultimate victor, which is the team that can best combine the knowledge from all books. A Spelling Bee is also an entertaining part of the event. PAC helps to fund the prizes along with the generous support of GESS administration. If anyone
Kaylyn Hatfield and Bree Sproule in Georgie’s gowns with Kole Badac in a Black and Lee Tux.
in the community is willing to support the Battle of the Books also, any donations to help keep this program funded and running would be appreciated. It was a record year with books flying off the shelf all semester. New interesting titles launched students to a total of 280 books in grade 8 and and 268 books in Grade 9, calculating out to an average of 2.7 books/student in Grade 8 and 3 books/ student in Grade 9. Eleven students reading all eight books. Ms. Leclair’s class edged out the other classes in both grades by the smallest of margins for the most books read, earning those classes a pizza party. This year’s Grade 8 Battle of the Books winners were the team from Ms. Nicholson’s Grade 8 class of Jaide Hatfield, Katrina Wellborn, Jordan Taylor, Darcie Payne and the Grade 9 class winners were the team of Teya Rood, Tyson Meraw, Makena Geen, Dylan Gubler. Spelling Bee winners were both from Mr. Wardman’s Class: Grade 8 – Cassie Mackenzie and Grade 9 – Anika Gatzke. However, we strongly feel that prize or no prize, every child that reads is a winner.
Grade 9 students in the heat of battle.
You don’t have to be a millionaire to make a difference
Randi-Lynn & Sierra
Whenever we think about making a difference in this world often we think things like, “How can I be of much help” or “My little bit of money won’t make much difference, or “I don’t even know where to start”. Well these thoughts didn’t enter the heads of Sierra Sanchez-Dickie or Randi-Lynn Martin when they set out last month to make a change for some families in Africa. As an optional extra credit assignment for Rec Leadership, a course that inspires and enhances student experiences and school culture and often creating change in the world abroad, these
two remarkable young ladies embarked upon a journey that would ultimately impact the lives of families in Africa. Sierra and Randi, with the help of fellow student Brooklyn Frank, baked many goods and enlisted the help of others in the class to do the same. In two consecutive days of Cake Walks, they had raised over $110. Through World Vision, with $100 they could choose to buy a family a goat or 2 families 2 chickens and a rooster each. To us that doesn’t sound like much, but to some family struggling in to make a living in Africa
this could mean the difference between life and death. Hens create more chickens as well as producing eggs and fertilizer, all of which can be used or sold, giving a family a steady income and the ability to provide for themselves. These young ladies, in this relatively small, but heroic, act of generosity are giving a sustainable and prosperous lifestyle to others they don’t even know, and if that isn’t a hero, then I don’t know what is. And they challenge you to do the same this year, just one small gift to those that have so little, from those that are blessed with so much.