St. Raphael sitting in first place in video contest

After a month of voting, the kids in the primary life skills class at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School are sitting in first place in a video contest that would help the school purchase a smart board for their classroom.

But they need Sudburians to keep voting for them to stay there. People can vote daily. The video that gets the most online votes before March 14 wins the contest.

The contest is open to North American schools serving those with intellectual disabilities. It's put on by the United Commercial Travellers (UCT), a non-profit financial services membership organization known for its charitable work.

First prize is $10,000 and second prize is $5,000.

St. Raphael's video shows the students displaying their strengths. For example, one little girl is playing soccer in the video, and another colouring.

It also shows the students standing in line, holding pieces of paper with words written on them, together conveying messages such as “I'm a valued member of society” and “Don't doubt my capabilities.”

To vote for St. Raphael and to watch the school's video, search for UCT on Facebook. You don't need to be a Facebook member to vote.

The link is also available by visiting the Sudbury Catholic District School Board's website, www.scdsb.edu.on.ca, where there's a short article about the contest at the top of the web page.