Port Chester Teacher Invited to Service Learning Summit

The following release is from the Port Chester School District:

Last year, the Port Chester High School students involved in the One World Youth Club’s service learning project “Send a Net; Save a Life” raised $1500 to purchase 300 nets which hopefully helped to protect children from contracting malaria.

Now their club advisor, math teacher Diane Windas, has been invited to join the Nothing But Nets Champions Council at the organization’s annual Summit in Washington, DC on September 28-29.

According to Nothing But Nets Director Chris Helfrich, the Champions Council comprises top Nothing But Nets supporters from all walks of life – students to CEOs, bishops to NBA all-stars – who are leading the fight against malaria in their communities. Its goal is to provide networking, tools and training to Nothing But Nets supporters nationwide. In addition to professional development workshops, Council members will hear from experts at the UN and other major global organizations working to fight disease and poverty, and attend an advocacy day on Capitol Hill.

As part of their Service Learning Project last year, the Port Chester High School students reached out to their peers trying to educate them regarding how malaria affects the lives of children in developing countries. They encouraged their classmates to make small sacrifices, such as the cost of 2 lattes = 1 life-saving net.

“Some students gave a small amount, others a large amount,” said Ms. Windas. “Instead of selling cupcakes, they sold a meaningful cause. The bottom line is that although we were trying to reach out to change/save the lives of children in Africa, in the end it was us who were changed.”

“I am surprised and, of course, excited about the invitation to the Nothing But Nets Champions Council this September,” Ms. Windas commented, who recently learned that several of the One World Youth Club member-students also can attend the Summit this month.

The One World Youth Club is a new club at the high school. Its mission is to help students become more aware of the rapidly changing world around them and better prepare them to participate and succeed in a global economy and global society. Through their activities, students realize that they can make a difference, not only in their school and local community, but in the global community. It is supported by One World United & Virtuous, a non-profit educational foundation founded by PCHS alumna Joe Carvin, the Rye Town Supervisor.

Photo: Diane Windas