SuperProm Funds for a Super Cause!
What would you do if your class won enough money to throw the ultimate prom? Would you start planning the party? Pick out an awesome dress or tux to wear? Find the perfect date?
Well, that is exactly what happened at Cupertino High School in California. In March 2010, they won a contest sponsored by Dell called SuperProm, with a grand prize of $100,000. But the Cupertino students didn’t use the money to plan their perfect prom. Instead, they decided to donate the money to a school halfway around the world in Kenya! The donation was made as part of a four-year project called Kenya Dream. The students had started Kenya Dream their freshman year and had raised $50,000 toward their cause. So winning SuperProm was the ultimate achievement of their efforts, tripling the money they were able to donate!
Why donate? The students understood they were more fortunate than many other people living in developing countries which lack electricity and running water. Here’s a group of kids who had a dream and followed it through for the benefit of others.
This video tells the story of the Cupertino students and their Kenya Dream.
Additional Resources:
- Here’s another video about Cupertino High and their quest to win the Superprom prize.
- Here is the website for Kenya Dream!
Topics for Discussion:
- Why did the Cupertino students decide to donate their class money to Kenyan students?
- Think about one “extra” that you could do without. How much money could you donate to a worthy cause just from that one “extra”?
Take Action:
- How could your class help other schools in need? Work with your class to put a plan into action!
- Visit the Donors Choose website to find out how you can help classrooms in need!
Teacher Features:
- Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for elementary school students.
- Here is a link to a Critical Reading Skills worksheet that you can use for middle school students.
