MASON — – An idea to help Nigerian students get an education while training to compete in soccer has turned into a crusade by Mason students, staff and local businesses.
Three years ago, Mason High School business teacher Paul Kato began establishing a school for all ages and a soccer training camp in Nigeria – his home country. Called the Kato International Training Academy, the school and soccer training facility is headed by Kato and his brother-in-law, Bature Bala Likoro.
With sponsorship help from Nike and Rush Soccer, they formed soccer clubs in two major cities, Kano and Kaduna, where they hope to draw students for their school. Kato wants to build on this success by building an academy for the students.
Back in the U.S., Kato sees the academy and students as a way to increase Mason High students’ cultural awareness. Nigeria has had a violent history in recent years in country’s delta region far away from the academy.
Starting last summer when three Mason High School students visited Nigeria, modest fund raising happened through the sale of student-created artwork made into posters. The proceeds were donated to Kato and his dream of an academy.
Leadership encouraged
From there, the fund-raising effort snowballed.
Business teacher Kristin Higgins launched a class called “Leadership B” designed to give students real opportunities to lead and direct projects, according to Mason senior and event coordinator Holly Raglow.
At the same time students Mackenzie Robson, Wesley Buskirk and Rachel Davis looked for a way to create a program to spread the word about Kato’s program. After a presentation, both groups organized SEND, or Students Empowering Nigerian Development.
From there, students began contacting local businesses to help with the promotion of the group and fund-raising efforts, set up committees to explore ways to bring more cultural awareness to other students and are even planning a trip.
Money-raising efforts
Simple-T, a t-shirt company co-directed by Mason High School graduate Alice Hoffman, volunteered its services to create t-shirts that can be sold with the proceeds going towards Kato’s academy.
The Mason High School Student Senate became SEND's first sponsor, pledging $2,000 to the purchase of website domain name, merchandise, and any other start-up fees.
Since January, the SEND event committee has even outlined a "lock-in" event, a program that would both entertain and educate students.
“The awareness committee of SEND created a presentation to give to every class in the school, made a video about SEND and the school and soccer academy, and are now creating a commercial to put on school announcements about the lock-in,” Raglow said.
She said the committee also plans to send students to Nigeria. The group has set up a parent information meeting for the students who are interested in going to Nigeria to help build the school.
On top of that, a media studies class has agreed to incorporate the project’s ideas into the class, a high school talent show will donate its proceeds to the academy as well.
Kato loves the student enthusiasm for a project that has been a dream of his for many years.
“It’s amazing to see what students can do when they get enthusiastic about something,” Kato said.
From there, the fund-raising effort snowballed.
Business teacher Kristin Higgins launched a class called “Leadership B” designed to give students real opportunities to lead and direct projects, according to Mason senior and event coordinator Holly Raglow.
At the same time students Mackenzie Robson, Wesley Buskirk and Rachel Davis looked for a way to create a program to spread the word about Kato’s program. After a presentation, both groups organized SEND, or Students Empowering Nigerian Development.
From there, students began contacting local businesses to help with the promotion of the group and fund-raising efforts, set up committees to explore ways to bring more cultural awareness to other students and are even planning a trip.
Money-raising efforts
Simple-T, a t-shirt company co-directed by Mason High School graduate Alice Hoffman, volunteered its services to create t-shirts that can be sold with the proceeds going towards Kato’s academy.
The Mason High School Student Senate became SEND's first sponsor, pledging $2,000 to the purchase of website domain name, merchandise, and any other start-up fees.
Since January, the SEND event committee has even outlined a "lock-in" event, a program that would both entertain and educate students.
“The awareness committee of SEND created a presentation to give to every class in the school, made a video about SEND and the school and soccer academy, and are now creating a commercial to put on school announcements about the lock-in,” Raglow said.
She said the committee also plans to send students to Nigeria. The group has set up a parent information meeting for the students who are interested in going to Nigeria to help build the school.
On top of that, a media studies class has agreed to incorporate the project’s ideas into the class, a high school talent show will donate its proceeds to the academy as well.
Kato loves the student enthusiasm for a project that has been a dream of his for many years.
“It’s amazing to see what students can do when they get enthusiastic about something,” Kato said.
No comments:
Post a Comment