Sprott-Shaw Blog

The definition of a Superhero is as follows:
Superhero: a fictional hero having extraordinary or superhuman powers; also : an exceptionally skillful or successful person

Annie Basket

Last year, the Kelowna campus wrote a story about Annie, one of our PN instructors who has survived a rare form of blood cancer. To pay it forward, Annie rode her bike from Vancouver to Seattle to raise funds for cancer.

Annie

This year, Annie did it again! A true Superhero! Surviving yet another year, Annie braved the wind and rain for two days to bike to Seattle. Annie even got back on her bike with a smile after a fellow cyclist forced her off the road! Annie did this not because she had to, but because wanted to help those fight their own battles with cancer. A true Superhero.

But the story does not end there. Being a Superhero is contageous! Annie is a well loved inspirational instructor. Her students heard about her efforts to raise funds for her Ride to Conquer Cancer. Students put together a gift basket with items donated by the entire class and raffled off tickets. Within five days, students were able to raise an extra $605 for Annie’s cause. With pride, students presented Annie with the funds raised.

Superhero’s come in all forms. We all have it in us to be ‘exceptional’….its all a matter of heart, choice and passion. Congrats Annie! Thank you for being our Superhero!

Did you see that Hockey Game??? No…not the one where Crosby makes the ultimate goal of his life, giving the entire nation something to scream about, but the one where students had to play against each other under less than desirable conditions? Or how about the breathtaking performance of our figure skaters, the nail biting curling match or the inspirational Torch Relay??

That’s right, the Olympic Games just didn’t happen in Vancouver, it happened in Kelowna! Yes, even WE felt the magic from the Olympics and we wanted to participate in our own version of this world wide event.

Lots of chaotic fun was had by students and staff over a two day period hosting there very own Olympic Games.  I would even go as far as saying that eyebrows were raised, smirks were made and uncontrollable laughter was had by all. But nothing beat the feeling of pride when our Olympians stepped up to the podium to accept their medals.

Thanks everyone that participated and contributed to the fun! It was an event to remember!

Awesome event!!!

Gold, Silver & Bronze

GO CANADA GO!!

Running with the Olympic Torch...

♥ Doll

It’s not everyday that a student walks into class and is handed keys to a BRAND NEW CHEVY AVEO! Tears and excitement were had by all when Laura Davis received the news that she was the WINNER of the Chevy Aveo promotion. We can confirm that Laura’s prior vehicle was on its last legs, and that the Aveo is now in a good home. Laura loves it!

Laura feels like she has a ‘fresh start’ not only with her new career, but having a reliable car to enable her to succeed. Laura’s worries of car repairs, and finding money to maintain her ‘old beater’ are now a thing of the past, providing absolute focus on her studies as a Legal Secretary. Not only is she currently holding an honour roll status, but her attendance is sitting at 97%. We can all rest in knowing that Laura absolutely deserved to win!

Laura and her new ride!!

Congratulations!!!

♥ Doll

For the last four years, SSCC students at the Kelowna campus have ‘given back’ by donating “non-perishable” food items to the Kelowna Food Bank via STUFF A BUS Campaign!

Students are given two rules:
#1 No money; just food
#2 Make sure you are taken care of before you take care of others

Since the Kelowna campus first started our involvement  with this community event, the Kelowna campus have continuously exceeded the previous years total. This year, the bar was set HIGH… and at one point… Kelowna thought they had raised the bar TOO HIGH!! Last years total was $1,700.00 so logically they set their new target at $2000.00!

It is with great pride to announce that not only did the Kelowna campus meet the $2000.00 target, but they BEAT IT!! The overall total was $2,700.00!!! The Kelowna campus broke all records but students and staff buying into a cause close to our communities heart. On November 26, 2009, students and staff announced the total raised, live on the popular morning radio station, Sun FM with Tarzan Dan and Susan Knight.

A local company heard what Sprott Shaw was doing and wanted to donate money on Sprott Shaw’s behalf.  Special thanks to Command Industries who cut a cheque for $200.00, which has given the Kelowna Food Bank over $600.00 worth of food. The ripple effect has indeed started!!!

In the Kelowna community, this campaign is a one week promotion. Sprott Shaw Community College has contributed to help raise over $5000.00 over 18,00 pounds of food for the Kelowna Food bank in total. Congrats to all staff and students… everyone did such an inspirational job!! Well done!!

The target for next year has been set!! I am sure that will not be a problem!!

♥ Doll

We all come from different backgrounds and experiences. Some of us feel we don’t measure up and that we will never amount to much. But some of those people have this voice inside that says “Yes you can”. When one listens to that voice and takes action on overcoming challenges, it’s a beautiful thing when an organization also adopts the ‘yes you can mentality’ and steps in to show the way!

Project literacy is a non-profit organization that says ‘YES YOU CAN’. The Kelowna campus has enjoyed a partnership with Project Literacy Kelowna for the past couple of years and together, they have helped students come to the realization that not only ‘CAN THEY’ but they ‘ALREADY HAVE’.

Students who need help with Math, English, Essay writing and study habits have been assisted in bringing their skills up to par to gain entrance into their desired program. This is a free service to anyone who feels they need help.

The help offered by many community volunteers and staff is so appreciated and makes a big difference to those who truly deserve it. Project literacy helps construct a future filled with possibility and potential.

On behalf of Kelowna Campus, Thank you Project Literacy for all you do for Sprott Shaw Community College and the Kelowna Community!

For more information: http://www.projectliteracykelowna.org

♥ Doll

On June 20 and 21 roughly 2,000 riders will be participating in the “Ride to Conquer Cancer”, one of the cyclists is our own Annie R who is an LPN instructor at our Kelowna campus!

The bike ride is for anyone; the only requirement is that you are able to ride the distance! The cyclists will be riding 120 km each day, with an overnight camp between Vancouver and Seattle. Each participant is required to raise a minimum of $2500.00; with a rough estimate of 2000 riders I am sure they will raise more than the required amount. Former pro cyclist and Tour de France participant Axel Merckx will by the captain on the ride!

Many of the cyclists have their own personal reasons for joining the ride. Many may have dealt with cancer themselves or lost family members to cancer. Our LPN instructor Annie has her own reasons and she was kind enough to allow me to write about her story:

Annie has been working as a Licensed Practical Nurse Instructor at Sprott Shaw for just over a year. In 2007, Annie was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Non Hodgkin’s disease it is a blood cancer and quite honestly a death sentence. Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. “Lymph nodes are found throughout the body and act as filters or traps for foreign particles. They contain white blood cells. So they are important for the proper functioning of the immune system.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymph_node) The cause of Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is unknown; it can be triggered by an infection or a compromised immune system. Some symptoms include fever, night sweats, swollen glands, fatigue and weight loss. (http://www.webmd.com/cancer/non-hodgekins-lymphoma/default.htm) Annie heard about the Ride to Conquer Cancer event during her chemo therapy session. Right there Annie made a personal goal; she decided that she would make herself healthy so she can be one of the cyclists! Annie has been undergoing a new type of treatment called Imuno Therapy; she has been doing this treatment for 2 years and it is working. It is curing Annie’s Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

She is riding in order to raise more money for research! Sprott Shaw Community College is one of the many supporters for the Ride to Conquer Cancer! In order to conquer cancer we need to help each other. If you are interested in donating to support a great cause check out the website http://www.conquercancer.ca/site/TR?pg=pfind&fr_id=1281 .

Sprott Shaw Community College wishes Annie and all the other cyclists the best during the ride!

♥ Doll

As most of you may know on April 30, 2009 the Kelowna campus took part in a fundraiser called Have a Heart Radiothon. This event is made in order to raise money for Kelowna’s General Hospital’s Neo-Natal Unit. The Neo-Natal Unit is very important to the hearts of the Kelowna community and Sprott Shaw is very honoured to help with such a cause! The Sun FM made a promo video in order to get more volunteers for next years fundraiser.  This year they raised $3600.00 for the Neo Natal Unit!! With more volunteers next year, who knows how much more they will raise. Check out the promo video –>  http://www.vimeo.com/5171763

♥ Doll

The Kelowna Campus is proud to be major sponsors for the Kelowna Falcons this baseball season. The Kelowna campus have the opportunity to pass out scholarships to the player of the game (MVP) and merchandise to the fan participators! We get the chance to show off how cool we are in front of over 800 people per game! Who knows.. maybe a future Major League Baseball Player can say that they are a Sprott Shaw Grad!

All SSCC Kelowna students have the chance to win club seat tickets to any game throughout the season! Please see Tammy and Alana for more information!

For more information about the team check out http://www.kelownafalcons.com/

Good luck to the Falcons!!

♥ Doll

 

Dean the President of Sprott Shaw collecting donations for the Have a Heart Radiothon!

Our Kelowna campus had an amazing day on April 30, 2009 collecting money for the Neo-Natal unit for the Kelowna’s General Hospital. The sun was out, smiles were made as well as money for the great cause!

 Dean, the President of Sprott Shaw Community College was helping the Kelowna campus collect donations from many drivers for this important cause. “It was an honour to have Dean come to Kelowna to help us” one of our advisors told me. She also went on to say Dean was quite into as well; weaving in and out of traffic, collecting donations, smiling and thanking people for their donation. Thanks Dean for coming out and helping from the Kelowna campus!!

The Kelowna campus also had the pleasure of having some Alumni students return to volunteer this year. Obviously, this cause is near and dear to the hearts of a lot of people… it is for the kids!

A sincere thank you to all who donated their time, money, enthusiasm and expertise to make this a great success! The end result was a WHOPPING $3600.00!!!!  

Great job guys, what a great cause!! 

Have a Heart Radiothon

♥ Doll

For the third year in a row, Kelowna’s  staff & students have donated their time and enthusiasm to the “Have a Heart” radiothon. The event is hosted by Kelowna’s best radio station –> Sun FM. Over the years, the Kelowna campus have helped raise over $15,000.00 towards Kelowna’s Neo-natal Unit.  The money that is raised stays in Kelowna. The cause is near and dear to the hearts of the Kelowna community and we are extremely proud to work with Sun FM to help raise the funds needed. This year the event is on April 30, right in the middle of our graduation ceremonies! What a fun and busy week ahead for the Kelowna Campus!

This year we are particularly excited as we have the President of Sprott Shaw, Dean Dupperon, volunteering. Yes, that’s right! Our own president is getting involved in this cause. We also have some of our graduated students wanted to participate again this year. Not only does this event bring us a huge sense of community, but we have a lot of fun dodging in and out of traffic collecting donations from stopped cars! Giving back to our community and getting involved is something we take seriously here at Sprott Shaw Community College.

Stayed tuned for this years total amount raised and photos from the event! 

♥ Doll