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Charity begins at school for teens at W.P. Wagner High

If giving was a school subject, the 1,500 students at W.P. Wagner High School in southeast Edmonton would be getting top marks. A school-wide push to 'pay it forward' has raised tens of thousands of dollars for local causes while teaching some life-long lessons in empathy.

Edmonton high school students embrace a 'pay it forward' mentality while raising big bucks for charity

Adrienne Lamb, Rick Bremness · CBC News ·
W.P. Wagner students Justin Nast and Megan Boostrom created these Whoville trees in the school's greenhouse as part of a fundraiser for their horticulture program. (Supplied)

W.P. Wagner High School student Madison Silva is putting her sewing skills to use.

The 15-year-old member of the Stollery Club is one of 20 students modifying sleepers for newborns at the Stollery Children's Hospital who require hookups to IV and monitors and can't wear regular pull-on sleepers.
Grade 10 student Madison Silva holds up one of the sleepers she modified for young patients at the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton. (Rick Bremness)

Other clubs at the school organize blood donor drives or collect food and clothing for families in need.

"These are our neighbours," said teacher David Tran, department head of student leadership at Wagner. "These are families in our area."

Tran believes social responsibility, empathy and paying it forward can and should be taught.

"One of the things we teach here is 'many hands make light work'," Tran said. 

Giving at W.P. Wagner High School

8 years ago
Duration 0:55
David Tran, department head of student leadership at W.P. Wagner High School, shows us the kind of community projects they're involved with in Edmonton.

About 1,500 students attend the high school at 6310 Wagner Road in southeast Edmonton.

"Last year we raised $93,000 for the Child, Adolescent and Family Mental Health Foundation," Tran said.

The year before that students raised more than $50,000 to provide full-day kindergarten for students in need. 
David Tran works as the head of the department of student leadership at W.P. Wagner High School in Edmonton. (Rick Bremness)

Wagner principal Jennifer Allen admits they're billed as a science and technology school.

"But we're particularly proud of the student leadership focus where students work together to give back to the community," said Allen.

She believes giving is what really gets the kids excited.

"As much as the students loved doing things for themselves and for school spirit, I think they get even more passionate about doing things for others."

You can see more from W.P. Wagner High School on this week's Our Edmonton Saturday at 9 a.m., Sunday at 3 p.m. and Monday at 11 a.m. on CBC TV. 

Inside W.P.Wagner High School

8 years ago
Duration 1:14
CBC TV's Our Edmonton stops by W.P.Wagner High School to learn more.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adrienne Lamb

Producer

Adrienne Lamb is an award-winning multi-platform producer based in Edmonton. She served for several years as a national arts reporter. Prior to moving to Alberta, Adrienne worked for CBC in Ontario and New Brunswick. Adrienne is a graduate of Western University with a degree in English and anthropology and a master's in journalism.

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