National Volunteer Week 2019

STS volunteers have always been at the top of the list of resources that we draw upon to make our School a success. The impact of our volunteers is broad and deep as their work supports everything from student learning to governance. Volunteers assist our STS faculty and staff in countless ways as experts in different subject matter, classroom assistants, sports teams supporters, judges, library volunteers, and in a host of other important roles.

Volunteers contribute extensively to the way our community experiences the life of the School by organizing social events, welcome back coffee mornings, and by welcoming new parents to our community. There is probably not a happier day in the year for staff than the June employee appreciation luncheon. They operate the uniform store, generating revenue for the School in addition to providing an excellent service to families, and they organize and support a wide range of fundraising events that enrich programming, facilities and provide valuable resources for our students and teachers.

STS would not be the School it is today without our volunteers. The experience of students, teachers, staff, parents and visitors would be greatly diminished. With this year's theme being "the volunteer factor: lifting communities", we are sharing the stories of STS volunteers and how they are lifting our community.

Jennifer Dalton

Since joining the STS community in 2017, Jennifer Dalton has invested much of her time lifting our STS community as a parent volunteer and a member of POSTS (Parents’ Organization of STS). Mother of two STS students, Emily ’20 and Liam ’28, Jenn and her family moved to Calgary from Vancouver and sought a way to learn more about the city and the new school community their family was about to join. Through volunteering at STS, Jen’s family not only joined a new school, but they also gained a community of friends. Jen sees volunteering as a way for her to add value to her and her children’s community while teaching her children the importance of getting involved and volunteering. “The impact of all the volunteers together is immeasurable. Many of the little extras that make our School community special come from the efforts of volunteers all lifting together. I like to think that my small part in this will impact students and parents and create some of the memories that go down in the history of the School.”

Delia Lee '14

Meet Delia Lee ’14. During her time at STS, Delia was involved in Speech and Debate, Model United Nations (MUN) and volunteered avidly at the Calgary drop-in centre through Round Square. Delia is a strong activist for “paying it forward” – from peer tutoring in French and Math as an STS student to now volunteering as an alumna at events such as “Tales from the Undergrad Years” and STS’ annual Speech Day, Delia credits her fond memories of her years as an STS student to the dedicated STS Alumni who ensured successful experiences for students to come. “Connecting current students with the alumni community lifts STS students by facilitating mentorship and expanding their professional circles so that they can continue to live up to the STS mission – Nil Nisi Optimum – and do their best as global citizens after graduation.”

 

Ann Johnston

Mother of three STS students, Luke ’21, Alex ’24 and Sara ’27, Ann and her family have been a part of the STS community for seven years and have been involved in numerous volunteer activities at STS. From volunteering in the classroom and at field trips to ensuring all new families to the STS community have a familiar face to connect with when starting at STS, Ann’s dedication to lifting the STS community has had a significant impact on our students, parents and faculty. “With such a diverse and capable group of volunteers at STS, we foster a spirit of collaboration that builds upon a safe and inclusive STS community that benefits everyone.”

Alysha Kanji '05

Alysha Kanji ’05 reminisces to her time as a curious STS student not knowing the many paths she could pursue following her graduation. During her time at STS, Alysha participated in a variety of co-curriculars including debate, choir and numerous athletic activities. Alysha even recalls performing at her very own Speech Day and how terrified she was performing in front of a massive crowd. Today, Alysha volunteers as an STS alumna, sharing ideas, and providing students with various perspectives and options to consider for their lives post-graduation. Alysha views volunteering as an essential service that helps communities thrive, “being able to serve others, and donate whatever time and knowledge you may have, not only keeps you connected to the community at large, but also lifts those around you to do the same. I believe volunteering is a domino effect – if you help others, they are more likely to do the same and so on. It truly does vitalize and lift communities.”

Lisa and Scott Mundy 

Lisa and Scott Mundy have been a part of the STS community since their daughter, Robbi ’30, joined STS’ first Kindergarten class in 2017. Volunteering in various activities such as treat week, our annual Terry Fox run and on STS’ new parent committee, Lisa and Scott are dedicated volunteers. They have both witnessed first-hand the impact that volunteerism makes on STS students and especially on their daughter, Robbi, thanks to past parent volunteers who have kept STS traditions alive. Being able to see Robbie interact in the classroom and engage with her peers inspires Lisa and Scott to volunteer at STS.

Shefina Mawani 

Shefina, Al-Noor and Jayden ’28 Mawani have been a part of the STS community since 2017, but have been long-time supporters of STS through supporting their nieces Imaan K. ’17 and Jayhan K. ’19. Shefina volunteers regularly at STS at our uniform store, Tweeds and More, at our Lost and Found, and in various classroom activities. When Shefina is not volunteering, she is working at the University of Calgary as a Clinical Research Nurse. Upon starting their journey at STS, Shefina and her family immediately felt a profound sense of community, which inspired her to volunteer to feel connected to the community. The act of volunteering is a deep-rooted value that has been shared from generation to generation in Shefina’s family. Shefina hopes that her son Jayden will also share in these values. “The giving of time, knowledge, resource, and expertise can have the ability to provide so much benefit and support to a community.”

Anju Giri

STS parent, Anju Giri, is passionate about volunteering as it gives her an opportunity to spend more time with her daughter, Diya ’30. Anju has volunteered in a variety of activities; however, on a more recent note, she has used her expertise as a certified yoga instructor to bring Zen to the STS community by teaching parent yoga classes at STS in support of annual giving fundraising at the School. To date, Anju’s yoga classes have raised $500 towards our Head of School’s initiatives!