Eighth grade students at Classical Christian Academy raised $722 for Make-A-Wish Foundation through a lunchtime Bake Sale.
06 – May – 2016- North Fort Myers, Fla. — Inspired by the book “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations,” the eighth grade class at Classical Christian Academy set out to find a worthy cause and make a difference. They presented a check for $722 to Make-A-Wish Foundation on April 29, after working hard to raise money through bake sales and other donations.
Make A Wish check presentation by the 8th Grade.
Many people believe that teenagers are lazy, but CCA teacher Mrs. Shannon Schram inspired CCA’s eigth graders to think beyond themselves. After reading “Do Hard Things,” eighth grader Thomas D. said he determined society is wrong about teenagers. Teens are capable of doing significant things to help their community, and the eighth grade class wanted to prove the skeptics wrong.
It took a while to settle on a charitable cause, but the class eventually voted to help an ill child’s wish come true.
“I think that the Make-A-Wish Foundation was a good choice because we are helping someone that has been unintentionally hurt,” Thomas said.
The class set a goal of raising $700, and one student, Emily M., stepped forward to make a goal “thermometer” to track progress. After contemplating ideas on how to reach their goal, the students decided to have a bake sale in the school cafeteria. In three days, the eighth grade class remarkably made $460! But that was not all. They also petitioned Student Council to raise funds through a Jeans Day and continued to solicit donations from relatives. In the end, the class raised $722 for Make-A-Wish.
“I loved watching this class collaborate together to do something bigger than themselves and reach a goal,” said their mentor, Mrs. Schram.
Ms. Taylor Marini, a representative from Make-A-Wish, visited the school April 29 to receive the check. Emily M. again used her creative talents to make a giant ceremonial check. The students also made a small presentation about what they learned from “Do Hard Things.” Ms. Marini explained the Make-A-Wish organization’s mission and its student leadership program.
Eighth grader Elizabeth D. said she was impressed by the outcome of the bake sale, and she wants to encourage next year’s eighth grade class to aim big.
“Even if they have second thoughts about doing something that they think is bigger than themselves, they should go for it anyway,” she said.
The book “Do Hard Things” was written by two teenagers, Alex and Brett Harris, who wanted to make a difference in the world. This book inspired the class to do something to help their community rather than wait until they are older.
CCA’s 2016 8th Grade Class
CCA’s eighth grade class celebrated its graduation into high school on May 3. They plan to continue seeking out ways to rebel against low expectations and help people in their community.
Written by CCA student journalist Emily M.
ABOUT CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
Classical Christian Academy is the premier hybrid school in Southwest Florida. CCA offers families an academically rigorous and Christ-centered K-12 education option that blends the best aspects of private and home schooling. Classical Christian Academy is a registered 501c (3) organization. For more information, visit www.discovercca.org and like CCA on www.facebook.com/DiscoverCCA.
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