Two schools give back to community after prom, grad trip cancelled due to COVID-19

With many events cancelled this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, some graduating classes have decided to use the funds they had allocated for prom and graduation trips to give back to their community.

Students at Emily Stowe Public School (ESPS) in Norwich, Ont.,are donating a total of $12,887.27 to the Children's Health Foundation and two local service clubs:Otterville Optimist and Norwich Optimist clubs.

Thegraduating class of 2020at ESPShad initially raised themoney to go toward a Grade 8 graduation trip to Quebec City one of the many events that had to be halted in effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

But despite the cancellations of a milestone for these students, they decided to use this money to pay it forward.

"As a class we decided that with some ofwith the leftover money we would like to donate it back to the community,"Grade 8 graduate student JacquelynYates told CBCNews.

Yates,who was part of the fundraising for the trip, said the disruption caused by COVID-19 was unforeseen and unfortunate but that didn't stop the class from having a good school year and helping out their community.

"I'm really thankful for my class and the time I did spend with them."

Alison Vankerrebroek, president of the Norwich Optimist Club, who is also an ESPSteacher, said her organization is especially grateful for the donation since the club's traditional fundraisers have been curtailed by COVID-19 public health restrictions.

"I am so pleased that the Grade 8s chose our local Optimist club. That puts the money right back into the community," said Vankerrebroek.

A special outdoor ceremony is planned with students from the graduating class presenting the donations to representatives from each organization on Nov. 14 at the school, according to a Thames Valley District SchoolBoard spokesperson.

"It was unfortunate that our students and their families could not have the graduation event we all hoped for, but the school is very proud of the generosity that the students have demonstrated in giving back to charities in their community," said ESPS Principal Christine Harrower.

On Tuesday, the school hosted a virtual event for the graduating class which included a drive-up photo opportunity for students and their families.

Aylmer school's prom committee donates to local charities

Meanwhile, thegraduating class of 2020 at East Elgin Secondary School (EESS) inAylmer,Ont., has donated a total of $6,100 to various charities and organizations after their prom, which was initially planned to take place in June of this year,was called off.

Three of the graduating class' students Ally Van Velzer, Kylie Guertjens and Mikayla Dunn presented the donations to the following charities on behalf of their class on Friday: EESS' The Inside Ride charity fundraiser and Best Buddies, Christmas Care for Teens,Corner Cupboard food bank in Aylmer and the annual Sam Chabot Memorial Toy Drive.

The graduating class also bought $600 worth of socks for 519 Pursuit's sock drive for the homeless in London and other areas. With winter months quicklyapproaching, the students said this initiative was very important to them.

We knew that something had to be done with the money that we raised,- Prom committee head Kylie Geurtjens

One of the heads for the prom committee Kylie Geurtjens says the students felt it necessary to give back to the community that helped them raise the money "in each different way."

This meant splitting up the funds to go to different organizations and charities including food banks, sock drives for the homeless and a toy drive.

"Everybody was very disappointed, we all thought our Grade 12 year was ruined because we wouldn't have the prom that everybody else got," Geurtjenstold CBC News.

"So because we were disappointed, we knew that something had to be done with the money that we raised," she said. "Since we were very thankful that the community around us had helped us fundraise a lot of money, we felt giving back to the community wasthe best option."

Ally Van Velzersaidthat despite feeling sad about missing her senior prom, she luckily was able to attend the year prior and understood the risks of COVID-19.

"I was super upset. I mean Grade 12 is Grade 12 it's your final year," she said. "Everything's so exciting, that's like your big milestone that you look forward to."

The prom committee, which has no affiliation with the school, had raised a total of $9000 for prom that school year.The remaining fundswent to paying students' caps and gowns for the ceremony as well asgrad t-shirts.

The class will still get to walk across the stage and receive their diploma later this year according to the students but they must book time slots to ensure physical distancing is followed.

Both Van Velzer andGeurtjenssaid each organization was chosen for different reasons and that they each represent different aspects of the community the students felt a need to support.