In commitment of their goal to manifest all facets of the word “Activate” – set in motion, make active, organize and create – Unity Composite High School students continue to find ways to develop and strengthen their Activate message and brand.
Written in bold on the wall as you enter UCHS are three core beliefs: “Respect, Responsibility and Choose to Learn.” This campaign showcases the understanding and engagement UCHS students have in their school’s beliefs. It’s also an affirmation that these students are taking their roles as respectful and responsible citizens seriously in proclaiming the Activate message not only in their school, but in their community and province, as well.
They’ve also been supported in their goal closer to home by the UCHS leadership class, with students involved in animation and graphics and maintenance of their website and social media.
In 2015, the Positive School Climate committee first came up with the Activate campaign to encapsulate their mission into engaging the student body with projects that would help share the overall message of the Activate brand. In the first year of its inception, students of UCHS held a day of Activation.
The following year, students from the PSCC/Activate committee sought out students and schools from across yhe province, tapping into social media to gain visibility. The process continued this year, with students promoting the campaign while expanding their marketing tools to get others to come on board.
Their goal is to create positive school environments of inclusion, kindness and overall mental and physical wellness.
These students are not undertaking these activities for themselves but choosing to be part of a bigger role in ensuring their school has the best, non-judgmental, all-inclusive space for everyone to enjoy their high school years. Now they want other schools to know it can work for them, too.
During these brainstorming sessions, students have created brand mascots the “King of Kindness” and Annie and Al Activator. Kira Vliestra came up with the Activators characters, then created life-size and miniature versions of the duo. These characters became the face of the campaign, with Vliestra’s artwork added to the branded logo created in 2015 by then UCHS student Megan Babchuk.
It was this commitment to creating an inclusive school environment displayed by students from past and present years that brought members of the Activate team to the attention of the government of Saskatchewan. Late in 2016, some of these same students on the Activate team were called upon by the Saskatchewan Minister of Education Don Morgan to take part in an anti-bullying video that was released online.
Along with taking part in the government’s anti-bullying campaign video, the students of Activate have participated in many other events outside of their community to spread their message. These team members had a role in this year’s We Day held in Saskatoon. Students were even given an exclusive invitation to a VIP dinner the night before the event with some of the performers and speakers of We Day.
The UCHS Activate team continues to be committed to carrying out their message, leading by positive example as well as seeking to raise the bar just a little higher each year. You can follow the work of the UCHS Activate team on Facebook, on Twitter @ActivateUCHS or on their website at www.ActivateDotUCHS.wordpress.com.
