International Banquet
You. Yes, you.
You’re a Bell High School student. Like me. Like everyone else you see in the halls as you blearily march from one class to another. What makes you unique? Maybe you’re an artist. Maybe you can dance and sing. Maybe you can recite pi to twenty decimal places. Maybe you’re the next Donovan Bailey or Wayne Gretzky. Whatever your talent is, when was the last time you used it to make a difference?
That’s what the Interact Club is dedicated to – making a difference. And that’s what the International Banquet on April 17th is going to do. You may have heard about it last year when Interact launched the annual event for the first time, but I wouldn’t blame you if you haven’t. It wasn’t exactly the extravaganza to end all extravaganzas.
This year, Interact is gearing up for something big, something with a tropical flavor, something everyone can get in on.
International Banquet is first and foremost a charity dinner, open to students, teachers and their families, to promote international awareness. Around that premise the possibilities are endless: dance and music performances, guest speakers, workshops, auctions - anything goes as long as the school doesn’t burn down and make the front page of the Citizen the next morning. But this ambitious undertaking won’t be possible unless you get involved.
Now don’t glance behind and sheepishly ask, “Who, me?”
Let go of a little bit of selfishness, let up on the excuses, and exercise that little muscle called initiative.
Whether you’re in a dance class, business class, or a world issues class, you can somehow contribute to International Banquet. And why wouldn’t you want to? You’ll be helping to rebuild an elementary school in Kenya for 300 kids who need a safe place to learn. But what’s another obscure problem in Africa, right?
I understand that sometimes we can be jaded about the sheer volume of associations, foundations and organizations that come knocking on our doors, flashing on our TV screens, or piling up in our mail. But here’s the thing. There is no one reading this article who can’t count themselves lucky to be living in Canada. In all our wealth, safety, and general happiness, what does it say about us when we look the other way as the less fortunate reach out for help?
Look at Bell High in its E-shaped glory. Look at the yellow brick walls and the creaky lockers. Whatever your opinion of the school is, just be glad it’s standing. Be glad you’re not worrying about the walls crumbling down as you’re complaining about a math test. That’s what 300 kids in Kenya are worrying about as they sit at their modest wooden desks and stare diligently at the chalk board that’s more of a stone tablet than a board.
Just imagine. Bell High School builds a school. It won’t be an Interact effort, but a school effort and that’s what the International Banquet should be. It should be something we can all be proud of.
If you have any ideas or are interested in being part of International Banquet (this goes for teachers too), talk to Mrs. Green in guidance or Mrs. Frazer in the math wing, email Bell_Interact@yahoo.com, or pop into an Interact meeting on Tuesdays at lunch in room 231.