Dodging for a reason at Beaconsfield High School

Melanie Schneider teaches Financial Literacy and Modern World at Beaconsfield High School (BHS) in Montreal's West Island.

“I think that a longer table should be built, not a high fence,” says the passionate teacher.

Schneider has run the annual Old Brewery Mission fundraiser at BHS, called Dodgeball for a Cause, for seven years. She recently took a break from eventing after battling breast cancer and is happy to be back, healthy and helping to raise funds for those in need again.

Rachel Wilson, principal of BHS, describes Schneider as “a bit of a powerhouse, as you can see,” and she's excited to get all the kids to do something really fun for a good cause.

Schneider shared a little about Dodgeball for a Cause: “We're donating money to the Old Brewery's mission and to a local refugee organization that helps refugees come in. I also teach the modern world and we learn a lot about challenges around the world. not many refugees come. So I thought teaching (World Today), it's important for kids to understand that a lot of people want to come to Canada, but they don't have a lot, so we want to be able to give that back.”

Beaconsfield High School students played dodgeball, enjoyed a halftime show and competed to win more than $1,000 in indoor prizes.

Maya Wilford is an eleventh grader at BHS, “Through these donations, I want to make sure that people know that there are other people out there who can help them and that they are not alone in the situation they are in, because that's how I feel. If you find yourself in this situation, how do you think I can get out of it or is there anyone who can help me? So I hope they know there are schools out there who want to help them like we do.”

Vince Cohen, also in the eleventh grade, was the event's MC: “You definitely learn teamwork skills and what I had to do individually. We learn how to work in a team, how to collaborate, and how to do different tasks. A lot of times when you're doing teamwork at school, you're all doing the same thing, but I'm hosting and someone else is selling food, so we have to find a way to work together.”

Schneider shared a personal anecdote: “During COVID, we raised $8,000 for various charities, which was done online. Unfortunately, two weeks after our second event, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and two weeks later was in the chemotherapy chair, but I'm excited to be back and start this fundraiser to do something fun for our community, our alumni, and those in need. Please help.”

Wilson appreciates the event's appeal to students: “I think the most important thing is that every little person's action makes a big difference and I hope they take that with them wherever they go.” Especially for the graduates who are graduating this year, it's very exciting and for them to realize that what they're doing is going to make a difference.”

Schneider explained that the lessons learned go beyond the walls of the gymnasium: “I think it's amazing and I think it's such a gift to the community and to our youth to learn about project management and to learn about helping other people in the community. and doing it in a fun way. It's good that they're back from COVID. This graduating class took a heavy toll because they never finished seventh grade, eighth grade was on the bubble, and ninth and tenth grade took a lot away, so I'm very happy to be back at BHS and make memories. For our graduates.”