BY KARISSA MILLER
After seeing images of the devastation Hurricane Helene wrought in Western North Carolina, Statesville High School student George Dailey was moved to assist residents who suffered unimaginable losses.
Dailey, an International Baccalaureate student who plays basketball, soccer and tennis, decided to contributed to the relief effort by hosting a pickleball tournament fundraiser at the school.
“A couple of friends mentioned that they liked to play pickleball. I thought it would be a good idea to put it together with the circumstances in North Carolina to raise money through a pickleball tournament,” he said.
Dailey handled every detail of the event, which served as his IB Personal Project.
“I borrowed nets from the Recreation Center, planned a date and used the basketball gym for the tournament,” he explained.
He also marketed the event and solicited donations for prizes. The winner of the tournament received a gas gift card and hat.
The tournament was held on January 18 with all funds raised going to Hearts with Hands Hurricane relief. Eighteen people participated, with many making a donation above the $20 entry fee.
“I was able to raise over $1,000. My goal was to raise $250,” he added. “It makes me feel proud because I didn’t know I would raise that much.”
For some people, the thought of organizing a sports fundraiser is a daunting task. Dailey learned that isn’t always the case.
“It’s easy to get people together for a good cause, and you can do it for whatever cause you want,” he said.
Dailey received accolades from IB teacher Andrew Collins for his work.
“George’s project is unique because he wanted to do something that got people active and brought people together in the community,” Collins explained, noting he was proud of all of his students who had to do the project outside of class time.
Dailey said he’s thankful for his family, the Statesville Recreation & Parks Department and Statesville High for helping make his fundraiser a success.
About the IB Middle Years Program Personal Project
“The Personal Project is a student-driven project that allows them to choose a topic of personal interest to research and complete,” explained Statesville’s IB Coordinator Jill Hartle. “Students can explore the topic of interest through learning a new skill and knowledge and create a product and outcome to demonstrate the success of the learning goal.”
“They then reflect on what they learned, how well they learned it, and how that learning might impact their future,” she added.
Some of this year’s 10th-graders’ topics included how to play guitar, how to become a social media influencer, writing graphic novels, painting murals in the school, learning how to crochet, collecting sport equipment for schools with needs, creating children’s books to teach Spanish language and Dominican culture.
Collins said that the personal project takes the IB framework and puts it into practice in the community and beyond.
“These are lessons students can use throughout their life, from planning (and) carrying out an event to figuring out successes and failures because everything doesn’t succeed,” he said.