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St. Patrick High School shows its students how to serve

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2102stpatservesB1 Bogdan Stanciu/NNSL photo Alvin Law demonstrates how positive thought can lead to real world results. Law wanted to pick up drumming, so instead of ruminating on his disability, he did. February 17 2018

Over 25 groups came together at St. Patrick High School to show all the many ways students can help out their community.

Spokespersons from community groups such as the Stanton Foundation and the Yellowknife Women’s Society came out to the school for the St. Pats Serves event on Feb. 15.

 

Students had the opportunity to move from session to session and learn about how each group worked and served in the community.

One of the speakers, Jeremy McDonald, runs the Arctic Divers Clean Up, group of scuba divers that cleans up the lakes and other waters around Yellowknife.

McDonald spoke of the importance of showcasing these organizations and giving them a chance to interact one on one with students.

“It gives the youth a chance to see where they can volunteer, contribute, and see where needs exist where they might not have realized were out there before.”

“People go through their daily lives focused on what’s important to them … these sorts of events take the blinders off and let people look around and see what other things need help.”

In the afternoon, students were treated to motivational speaker Alvin Law (a regular visitor to Yellowknife), who brought his message on having a positive attitude. Law, who was born without arms, spoke on the power of positive thought, and how easily negative thoughts had taken root when he was younger.

"If I can’t hold a girl's hand, I’ll never get a date, if I can’t get a date I’ll never get married, I’ll never have a family, I’m going to be miserable," he said. "We talk ourselves into believing we’re losers, when that’s the last thing we are.”

Students watched attentively and laughed along with Law as he highlighted key moments in his life and how they had affected him. After the speech, Law explained to Yellowknifer how he’s hoping to change his audience.

“I lost the thought 25 years ago that I was going to change every single audience I spoke to – You can’t change people in an hour, but you can plant the seeds that reminds them later on when they’re facing life challenges that their energy, spirit, and attitude do matter.”

Students afterwards felt empowered to take on new challenges that would benefit themselves and their community.

According to McDonald, this is the most important way to help yourself.

“The act of helping others is rewarding to yourself. If you can help somebody else, there’s an emotional reward or emotional payback to yourself.”