Grad club turns to social media for help in trip to New York

Photo: Students from Piikani High School take part in a water experience. The Piikani Grad Club is raising money to go to New York. (Photo: submitted)

January 14, 2016

Eight graduands from Piikani High School are working hard to raise money to pay for a trip to New York and their graduation ceremony.
“They’re a really enthusiastic group of people,” said Pam Wolf Tail, whose granddaughter Sorayya Frank is among the eight. “Anything they need to do, they do.”

Wolf Tail says the students, their parents and their extended families are using “their talents” to get the work done, having brought in about $5,300 to date.

But to hit the $30,000 price tag - $25,000 for the trip and $5,000 for the ceremony – will take more than catering, bottle drives and bingos.
“It’s hard to raise that kind of money on reserve, so they needed another way to raise the money,” said Wolf Tail.

That’s where the GoFundMe page comes in. Any donation will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged, says Wolf Tail.

Originally, the group had hoped to go to Paris, but uncertainty in world events made them change their destination to New York. Wolf Tail is hoping that the weak Canadian dollar will rebound somewhat between now and May.

While New York City is the destination, the group will be making stops along the way as they will be traveling by bus. It will allow them to visit historical attractions in the states they cross along the way.

“A lot of these kids will never go to places like Ohio or Pennsylvania or even New York,” said Wolf Tail. “They’re really excited about this.”

While Wolf Tail shares their excitement, she’s also proud of what the students have already accomplished. This grad class – with some of the students having more than the required 100 credits - numbers three more than the previous year and more Piikani First Nation students are graduating from off-reserve schools in nearby Fort McLeod and Pincher Creek. Students are understanding the importance of graduating and going on to post-secondary education, she says.

Wolf Tail’s granddaughter has plans to attend the University of Lethbridge in the fall and pursue a degree in psychology. Wolf Tail herself has a degree in management.

“I think First Nations students really need post-secondary education. That’s the way they’re going to succeed,” she said.

The students hope to have the majority of their money in place by mid-May, just before they hit the road for their two-week trip. They will be accompanied by two parents and one teacher.

Their graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 3. Graduating along with Frank will be Danica Crow, Trey Shining Double, Fred Small Legs, Josette Small Legs, Laressa Cross Child, Patrice Little Child-Mills and Alexis Many Fingers.