When Principal Ron Felsen got word mid-January that Northern SS would be the recipient of the United Way Spirit Award for the Best Student Campaign at the annual United Way Celebration Gala on January 31, he found it difficult to keep it a secret. "I was so proud of the efforts of the United Way Committee and the entire school community that I just had to tell somebody." But Felsen kept it a secret until the day of the Gala.
"This is the second year in a row that Northern has been honored with this award and to make things even more exciting, Northern received a brand new award this year, the Enbridge CN Tower Climb for the United Way Student Team Climb Award!" said Felsen.
Northern’s annual United Way Campaign, which officially opened with the United Way Assembly in early October, raised $33,500. The CN Tower Stair Climb alone raised over $15,000 and saw close to 250 Northern Red Knights conquer the 1,776 steps to the top of the CN Tower.
Northern’s involvement with the United Way goes back many years and, in 1979, and for the next six years in a row, the school received the award for the "Best Overall Contribution". Since 1996, Northern has claimed the Spirit Award ten times.
Once again, Northern has demonstrated its commitment to social justice issues and to giving back to the community. "Our students learn about social responsibility both in and outside of the classroom," Felsen said. "And I’m glad that the award is no longer a secret. It’s too hard to keep such exciting news under wraps."
