To earn their way to We Day Seattle, students at Skyview Junior High in Bothell committed to several local and global service projects.
Each fall, the students collect canned goods and non-perishable food for local food banks. They also participated in service projects including Shoes for Haiti, Pennies for Patients and Teens for Jeans.
“We are blessed to live in a country where we don’t experience poverty like so many in the world do,” said Gin Ernster, ASB advisor. “Most of my students have a smart phone and are able to purchase whatever they want. When we look beyond ourselves and help others we are allowing our service to others to change our hearts. We definitely need more kindness in the world and We Day ideas help us broaden our view of what is means to help others.”
We Day Seattle took place at the Key Arena, where coach Pete Carroll, quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Bobby Wagner, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, and fullback Derrick Coleman joined 15,000 students and teachers from more than 450 Washington state schools to celebrate philanthropy and community involvement. Other special guests included actor Edward Norton, pop singer Cody Simpson, Seattle Sounders FC alum Roger Levesque, human rights advocate Martin Luther King III and rapper Flo-Rida.
“This was extremely awe-inspiring. It gave me new insight on what to do in order to help out in the world,” said Nolan Hendrickson, eight-grader. “This was one of the best events I have ever attended. We Day is truly a productive way to celebrate and help continue service in communities all around the world.”
Skyview students attended last year as well. This year one of the students ,Skylar Parris, is organizing a futsbal tournament, which is a variant of football that is played on a smaller field and mainly played indoors. Parris is a member of the Northshore Futsbal Club and is using his network to organize a youth futsbal tournament for approximately 100-150 players. The aim is to unite the community for a cause in May and the leadership club is using this platform to raise money for clean water and sanitation in Free The Children’s developing communities in Sierra Leone.
“The event really opened my eyes to how many opportunities there are to serve others. We Day shared ideas on how we can take action and make a difference in the world for change,” said Kaity Bissendon, ninth-grader.
