The Olds High School leadership group is thrilled to have a chance to obtain more funding via the third annual Spring Fling fundraiser.
It's one of three non-profit entities that will obtain at least $2,500 and possibly $5,000 as a result of the event, which takes place April 20 at the Cow Palace.
In addition to the OHS leadership group, the other non-profits that stand to benefit are Padnoma Support Services and Habitat For Humanity- Mountain View chapter.
The fundraiser, which includes a meal this year, will begin at 5 p.m. Each non-profit group will get a chance to pitch their charity to guests who will pay $100 per ticket to attend. The guests will then vote for the people's choice, which will receive $5,000. The runners-up will receive $2,500 each.
Organizing committee co-chair Tracy Gardner guarantees those groups will get that money, no matter how many tickets are sold.
Grade 11 student Justin Cissell of the OHS leadership group is excited at the chance to raise more money for that entity.
"We're really just kind of set on enhancing student life and creating more opportunities to have creative outlets within the school as well as just to enjoy the school atmosphere and kind of enhance what we have at the school," he says.
"It allows us to do a lot more within our budget and leave more freedom to do what we please, so - nice. With more money, we're able to do more things that can fundraise and we can service our community better."
Cissell says over the years, the program has enabled students to go to leadership conferences, which have been really beneficial.
He says a conference like that is "amazing because it really allows you to interact and develop your leadership skills with other leaders and kind of foster those leadership skills you already have or develop new ones."
OHS student Avery Petersen says the leadership group has helped her broaden her skills and abilities.
"It's a really great environment," she says. "I've found that it kind of brought me into a new circle of people that I may not have explored otherwise, so I really enjoy that.
"It builds on public speaking skills, presentation skills, planning events. And so I've really grown as a person from participating in leadership."
Grade 12 student Abbey Iversen agrees.
"Leadership, it helps you kind of get out of your comfort zone and just interact more within your school and helps bring you more together as a school and kind of break down the barriers," she says.
"With more money, we're able to do more things that can fundraise and we can service our community better."JUSTIN CISSELLOHS LEADERSHIP GROUP
