A lifesaving high school club
In September 2010, seventeen-year-old Ameya Pendse is a Grade 12
student at Milliken Mills High School in Unionville and president
of the first high school Lifesaving Society Club. He is also a
national lifeguard and instructor.
Ameya approached the Society about creating a high school club
that teaches people about water safety. With the Society's support,
Ameya enlisted his principal, Ms. Catherine McGinley, who supported
the idea noting "the club would teach young people not only about
personal safety, but also valuable life skills they could share
with family and friends." Ms. McGinley also noted that the club
promotes healthy living and lifestyles, which is a board
initiative.
Ameya then recruited Mr. Joe Lofkowitz to act as teacher
advisor. Mr. Lofkowitz is a Bronze Medallion holder and former
instructor. With these key people in place, Ameya's club proposal
was unanimously approved by the student council. The club executive
consisted of: Jonathan Chu, Kimberley Cummings, Alana Fortella,
Edwina Huang and Melissa Wong, all of whom are lifesaving
instructors. "None of [the executive] are doing this for money or
volunteer hours" Ameya says, "we are doing this because we strongly
believe in this cause."
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"The club's main goal at Milliken Mills is to raise awareness of
drowning prevention. We also want to teach CPR-A and eventually
first aid. Everyone should have this education." The plan is to
certify all 1,800 students with CPR-A in groups of 12 throughout
the school year. There is a nominal registration fee for the
training with funds directed to the Society's Water Smart
campaign.
Ameya's advice to other high school students in Ontario who
would like to start such a club is to "just do it; it may be
challenging, but it is very rewarding."
In the 2010-2011 school year, Ameya and the executive team
trained 106 students in CPR-A and raised over $400 for drowning
prevention education.
For more information on how to start a Lifesaving Society Club
in your high school, contact
Kelly Manoukas
at 416-490-8844 or email
Fundraising
.