Centennial Elementary Students Climb and Sing for Worthy Causes

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The Centennial Choir has also performed at community events, linking their fundraiser to the greater community.
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By Tom Rohrer

putnam lieb logoHope can appear in a variety of forms.

A hug, a kind word and a simple gift all have the power to inspire joy and camaraderie.

Centennial Elementary School students will inspire through climbing. The school will host the 10th Annual Centennial Climbing for Kids Competition.

The competition will be held during school hours on Thursday, April 3 through Friday, April 4.  Students will attempt to complete marked climbing routes on the schools indoor bouldering wall and their points will be tracked onsite by local firefighters.

olympia elementary school
On April 3 and 4, kids at Centennial Elementary School will boulder and collect points.

Climbing for Kids serves as a fundraiser to support children in need, and this year’s theme is ‘Bringing Hope.’  Fundraiser proceeds will benefit both the Seattle Children’s Foundation and the Tronie Foundation, which focuses on the prevention of child trafficking and the rehabilitation of trafficking victims.  Students are asking family, friends and the community to donate a penny for every point scored in the competition.

In 2013, Centennial students generated over $4,500 for the Tronie Foundation.  That money went towards hiring an English teacher at a school in India that rehabilitates child trafficking victims.

These efforts from the students and the surrounding community have had a profound impact on Centennial music and physical education teacher Jana Gedde.

On staff at the school for over two decades, Gedde has enjoyed seeing her student’s dedication to helping others.

“I think this is an important part of a child’s education,” she said. “Caring goes beyond the walls of Centennial.  There are so many chances to make a difference, and this is one of those totally amazing opportunities.”

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Centennial Choir students performed “Hope” with professional musician, Derik Nelson.

Centennial’s indoor climbing wall was built in the early 2000’s following a fundraiser for the school.  Later on, Gedde’s oldest daughter created the climbing fundraiser for her senior project during her final year at Olympia High School.  The combination of fitness and fundraising has had a huge impact on the student body.

“A climbing wall is great for so many things.  It’s a different sport than most kids are used to,” Gedde noted.  “They visualize and plan their route and that’s just a whole new way of thinking for them in terms of sport.  It’s something they can carry on in their lives.”

Combining her passion for physical fitness and music is a daily task for Gedde, and her involvement in the fundraiser is no different.  Every year, the Centennial Elementary choir creates a music video to promote the fundraiser.

While in Hawaii last summer for her youngest daughter’s wedding, Gedde connected with musician Derik Nelson, who performed at the service.

Nelson, a recording artist and performer based out of Los Angeles, is a friend of Gedde’s daughter from their time together at Capital High School.   Impressed with Nelson’s musical talent and pleasant demeanor, Gedde extended an invitation to the Olympia native to become involved with the fundraiser.

“I thought it would be a good match and luckily we nabbed him.  I asked him if he would come to one of our bi-weekly Friday sings at school and when he showed up, our kids were just swooning over him,” said Gedde.  “I thought, ‘oh this would be fun to work with him.’ That’s where Climbing for Kids came in.”

Nelson, along with his siblings who serve as his videographer and manager, shot and produced a music video with the Centennial Choir performing “Hope,” a song written by Gedde herself.

olympia elementary school
Centennial students hope to raise around $4,500 to support the Tronie Foundation and Seattle Children’s Foundation.

Having a chance to perform with a professional, touring musician is an experience the students will remember forever.

“It made our kids feel so special.  I felt like what it would be like to be in (the student’s position).  To them, he’s a star,” Gedde said. “He’s on TV, performing in concerts, making music videos.  How cool of an experience for those kids.  They’re so proud and excited and have been sharing the video with everyone they know.”

Along with an opportunity to work with professional musicians, the students also interact with the heroes of their community.

“The firefighters are great, and we have an awesome relationship with them,” Gedde said. “Our kids know that our firefighters are here to keep us safe and they look up to them.”

To thank the firefighters for providing on site supervision, the Centennial Choir performs at the firefighter’s annual fundraiser ‘Fire and Ice.’

“They’ve performed the National Anthem and a song called ‘Heroes,’ which is about how firefighters are our true heroes,” Gedde said. “The kids love doing that so much and you can tell it’s a proud moment for both sides.”

Gedde has noticed the same pride stem from her students when they refer to supporting the Tronie Foundation.  The foundation is headed by Rani Hong, a Centennial Elementary parent who is a human trafficking survivor from India.  Hong’s story can be read here.

“One of her sons is in the choir for the music video,” Gedde added. “The personal connections with this whole fundraiser, they’re something else.”

olympia elementary school
The Centennial Choir has also performed at community events, linking their fundraiser to the greater community.

Last year, the Centennial Choir performed ‘The Voice’ at a Tronie Foundation event, an experience Gedde believes will stay with them their entire lives.

“I think they realized exactly what they are helping raise money for,” said Gedde.  “They saw the whole picture and got a broad idea of what it means to be a survivor.  They know they are specifically making a difference and what their efforts are going towards.”

This helping mindset of the students speaks volumes about the school’s staff and the surrounding community.

It’s a real special school and a special staff. It’s important to educate in terms of testing.  However, it’s vital to help our students understand the world around them and how to help others,” Gedde said. “That’s exactly what Climbing for Kids does, and it’s a great experience for the kids every year.”

To make a personal or business donation or to become involved in the Climbing for Kids Competition, contact Jana Gedde at Centennial Elementary at 360-596-8300.

Highlights from last year’s fundraiser can be seen at http://youtu.be/nKNO3Y4npfY while the ‘Hope’ music video is available at http://youtu.be/1j7TrVAszr8.

 

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