Middle School Students Catch the Vision and Pay It Forward
Middle School students are challenged to support non-profit organizations through CATCH.
At Sewickley Academy Middle School students are challenged to support non-profit organizations through CATCH – Children’s Actions that Create Hope. The program teaches students at a relatively early age about the importance of philanthropy by engaging them in the process of finding, proposing, and connecting with non-profit organizations in the greater Pittsburgh Community and beyond.
This year, Middle School students brainstormed ideas, conducted research, and presented proposals on how to best use the funds. During advisory groups, faculty and students discussed topics about philanthropy, including need, giving back, and making a difference. They also discussed the process of decision-making and how and why they make certain choices. Students delivered presentations to raise awareness about their causes and to propose non-profit organizations for funding by the class. Every student filled out a rubric on each organization or cause presented. They considered ideas such as caring about the “who and what” of the project, determining if the charity is a responsible organization, and making informed decisions about the information presented. Head of Middle School Jeff Zemsky said, “It’s amazing every year to see how seriously our students take their work in the CATCH program. They spend their own time, outside of class, researching, making phone calls, and preparing their presentations. They do this because they care a great deal about contributing to the greater good.”
After a compelling presentation by Olivia Lehman, Izzy Straka, Sydney Larsen, Katie Jones, and Caroline Zack, Grade 8 students chose to support the Pancreatic Research Center at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Students were moved by the story of Amy Spier and the event in her name, Amy’s Ride/Walk for Pancreatic Cancer, which benefits the same research center and cause. As part of their presentations, students created a video explaining the impact of this disease.
Students in Grade 7 chose to support the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) thanks to Chris Martian advocating for this organization. AFA’s mission is "to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families-through member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life."
Grade 6 students were persuaded to support World Vision by the presentation and rationale of students Isabella Alvarado, Kamryn Lightcap, JJ Jardini, Simran Bedi, Elsa Gordon, and Mary Kai Kalenak. Students liked World Vision’s work to tackle poverty and injustice in this country and around the world.
Ultimately, the organization that best matches students’ learning and their engagement receives a donation from an endowed fund dedicated to the CATCH Program. The CATCH program is made possible by the generous support and thoughtful vision of the Gellar Family Fund.
