Central Algoma Secondary School Intermediate teacher, Marla Adamson-Barber, could hardly contain herself as she stood on stage before a group of students gathered in the school cafeteria to share what she described as some amazement news.
"You are probably wondering why we're here, it's not an assembly," Adamson- Barber said. "We won. We're going to France."
The screams of excitement from the Grand Prize winners were deafening.
EF Tours provided the Vimy Foundation with a free tour to France for six students and one chaperone.
"It has always been our intent to include 12 students in the tour with all participants sharing the cost," Adamson-Barber said.
Twelve students from the CASS History club are bound for possibly a trip of a life time that includes the opening of the Vimy Foundation Visitors Centre which coincides with the 100th Anniversary of the Battle at Vimy Ridge, Apr. 9, 2017.
Nearly 100 years ago, 100,000 Canadian soldiers gathered for the first time as a united fighting force. Commanded in part by Canadian officers, they achieved what was said to be, "unreachable" and these brave Canadians took one of the most heavily defended German positions of the Western front.
Since this fateful battle, historians have said that Canada emerged from a colony to become a nation at Vimy Ridge. It was not simply a battle, it was Canada's coming of age.
In 2015, the Vimy Classroom Challenge invited teachers and students from across Canada to participate in this legacy project raising funds for the Foundation's 2017 Centennial activities and raising awareness in their schools and communities for this important anniversary.
That year, CASS was only one of four schools registered in the challenge and not only reached Gold Recognition Level of $3,598, the number of Canadians killed at Vimy, it surpassed it raising $3,750.
The school received a set of 30 Vimy Pilgrimage Medals, a plaque for the school and their name would be added on Gold Level on the EF Educational Champions Wall and a chance at the Grand Prize.
The Desbarats high school was notified it did not win the grand prize nor did they lose. The foundation had extended the challenge to 2016 and CASS continued to raise funds hosting a second fund raiser this year.
In total, the school raised nearly $5,000 from the two events, a fund raising dinner in 2015 and Trench cakes fund raiser in 2016. Donations were also received as a result of the students fund raising efforts.
At the closing of the classroom challenge, May 31, CASS was one of over 15 school groups that participated from across Canada and together raised over $15,000 for the up-and-coming Vimy Centennial activities.
"Amanda and I are thrilled with the opportunity this win provides our students," Adamson-Barber said. "Travel really does open eyes. Knowing, first hand, that the world is a wide and varied place is very important. We are very grateful to the hundreds of people who supported our fundraisers and spoke with our students. Interactions between students and community members is very important."
Two representatives from EF Educational Tours Canada were on hand to provide students with tour options and information.
EF Tour Consultant, Sarah Mielke, said she and her colleague Dana Knisley, were very honoured to represent EF and the Vimy Foundation in presenting this prize to Adamson-Barber and her students.
"Marla's passion and dedication to project has seen incredible results in bringing history to life for her students and community," Mielke said. "Although Marla and the history club were the ones who spearheaded the fundraising, they have really brought their community together through history."
Staff do not intend to, fundraiser, for the students but have offered to help them find opportunities to earn funds.
"Amanda and I believe that fundraising should be for charity and important causes not for personal enjoyment," Adamson-Barber said.
The selection of which 12 students will be going has not been determined as yet.
Students who participated in one or both events include- Kaitlyn G., Abby H., Bronwyn E., Jeanette W., Finn H., Cole S., Caitlyn S., Roy B., Mackenzie A., Hope W., Rudy W., Nolan P., Caleb P., Gage C., Hailey C., Alice S., Maddy B., Maddy G., Fiona D.,, Kierra B., Tristan S., Liam M., Ashley A., Claire S., Holly L., Amber G., Mary S. and Destiny J.