By Megan Douglas, Business & Community Support Officer
MACKIE Academy recently hosted their final of their Youth and Philanthropy Initiative, YPI, programme.
YPI, which is generously supported by The Wood Foundation, sees pupils explore social issues over the course of the academic year, they then select a charity and develop a presentation to showcase the vital work of their chosen organisation, with the winning team securing a £3000 grant for their charity.
Mackie Academy have taken part in YPI since the launch in 2008, and over the past 17 years, students have been responsible for more than £40,000 of charitable grants to North-East charities.
Mackie Academy Business and Community Support Officer Megan Douglas said: “We are incredibly proud of the dedication and effort shown by all of our second-year pupils. From class rounds to semi-finals, and finally to an outstanding final where four groups presented to a panel of judges—the standard was exceptional.”
The four groups represented in the final were, Stonehaven Men’s Shed, The British Heart Foundation, Aberdeen Cyrenians and CLAN Cancer Support.
The event included musical and dance performances by pupils from first and third year.
Megan added: “A heartfelt thank you goes to our second-year pupils, our committed teaching staff, and our brave finalists who presented in front of an audience of nearly 60 people.
”Thank you also to our panel of judges, the parents, carers, and families who came to support, and our charity partners. Special thanks to the talented pupils who provided musical and dance performances.
”We’re incredibly proud of our young people and grateful to our wider community for your continued support of Mackie Academy.”
A panel of judges, including third year pupils who won YPI last year, Paul Clelland from Stonehaven Business Association, Peter Foigel and Marjorie Hamilton from Stonehaven & District Rotary Club, selected the group representing Aberdeen Cyrenians as the winners.
Christina Andrews, who delivers YPI across second year was the class teacher of the winning group.
She said: “I am incredibly proud of all the young people involved. In the weeks leading up to the final, multiple groups kept appearing in my classroom during lunch and after school because they wanted to ensure their presentation was the best it could be.
”They all showed immense passion and dedication as they attempted to win the £3000 for their chosen charity.
”The group from my class are continuing to support Aberdeen Cyrenians by encouraging donations to a food donation box which they’ve set up at the front of school.”
The winning group representing Cyrenians, L-R; Ron Strachan, Volunteering & Education Co-ordinator, from Aberdeen Cyrenians, Alexander Park, Scarlett Shakespeare, Amy Brand, Class Teacher, Christina Andrews.
Feature image at top: all four groups presenting in the final