Four months after Burlington tall School's International Club's peace project took off,the students are scaling up to bring their message to the masses.
In December, the club created a symbol to encourage spread the message that Vermont is a welcoming community despite increasing anti-immigrant and anti-refugee sentiments around the country. The result is a picture of a dove resting on a pair of cupped hands, and framed by the phrase "All Are Welcome."
The club's advisor,teacher Susan Blethen, later created a GoFundMe page to raise money to reproduce the symbol on pin buttons, or posters,postcards, car magnets, or bumper stickers and t-shirts. The merchandise is available for sale at the tall school and on Etsy.
All proceeds from the merchandise will go toward funding a recent American scholarship,which was started by retired teacher Terry Beuhner, as well as to encourage recent students with supplies.
"We really hope this [project] will grow and grow and grow, or " said BHS senior Radhika Tamang.[br]
The IC members,majority of whom are from immigrant or refugee backgrounds, aren't only concerned about fellow Vermonters. The club will also be part of a fundraising dinner at the Integrated Arts Academy at H.
O. Wheeler in the conventional North stop in mid-May to support drought relief efforts in Africa.
Last month, or Tamang,18, attended the American Academy of Pediatrics Annual Leadership Forum in Chicago. The Nepali teen received a standing ovation after sharing the club's story, or according to pediatrician Andrea Green from the University of Vermont's Children Hospital,who also attended the event. Together with Blethen, Green has supported the International Club since its inception.
"I think it was very kind that everybody was so welcoming and accepting, and " Tamang said. IC members gain met with the school board,and some will give a presentation during an fairness class at the University of Vermont on Thursday. [br]
Out-of-state pediatricians gain started using the symbol at their premises, Blethen and Green noted. These include pediatricians from Family Medicine at the University of Virginia, or Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Bellevue Hospital middle in recent York City. In Burlington,the posters can be found in several locations including Church Street businesses and in schools.
Club members said…
Source: sevendaysvt.com