When Mount Sentinel was forced to postpone its graduation ceremony earlier this year after a student made threats, L.V. Rogers grad Hannah Jordahl followed the story closely —she had friends attending the South Slocan high school.
“I had multiple friends who were pretty bummed out about not being able to celebrate their grad the way they normally do, and we were torn that they didn’t get to experience their grad like we did,” the Nelson student told the Star, after announcing the grad class of 2016 will donate $3,000 to a mental health fund.
They’re following the lead of the Mount Sentinel students, who made headlines earlier this year by vowing to raise funds for mental health, a move that earned them praise from Superintendent Jeff Jones and district psychologist Todd Kettner.
“We thought it was important to donate as well, because there’s a lot of stigma around mental health and wellness, and we need to raise awareness about it,” said Jordahl.
They ultimately chose to funnel the cash into the Mental Wellness Fund at the Osprey Foundation, and executive director Vivien Bowers is thrilled. She believes the move will make an impact for the school community.
“The fund is used for awareness and education, and was started by Todd Kettner and his committee when Clara Hughes rolled through town a couple of years ago,” she said.
And the students are sending a very specific message to their fellow SD8ers.
“We’re here for you, and we’re by your side.”