Excerpts From Thank-You Letters Received:

Because both of these children had a chance to travel together...we were able to have excellent performances because we had balanced ensembles and students who knew their parts. The ensembles...placed at the National Level....Musically it was an excellent experience.But as an educator, I know that the real value of these trips lies in the opportunities that go beyond the competition, the ability to show students that the world is bigger than the city that they live in....The long boat ride that led to us seeing a pod of whales was breathtaking.Thank you so much for giving students this opportunity. It was a pleasure and it wouldn't have happened without your help.

MK, NHS

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I would like to thank your organization for helping two of my students participate in our Grade 8 Ottawa trip. They were truly beside themselves upon arriving in Ottawa and couldnt believe the sights they saw at the museums, Supreme Court and Parliament Buildings! These students have had very little opportunities in the past due to financial difficulties at home so this trip meant so much to them and will be in their memories forever, Im sure. Both students have some academic difficulties but this trip allowed them to explore their interest in a hands-on way that enhanced their education. What a worthwhile experience for both of them. As their teacher, I loved watching their expressions of delight and wonder.

Thank you very much!

Teacher, Simcoe County District School Board

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Thank you for making my Ottawa trip happen. It was the best time Ive ever had! I loved the War Museum the most. We got to see Hitlers car, Billy Bishops plane and all the neat military tanks and vehicles used in WWI and WWII. The boat cruise was so fun too. I met a lot of people because we got to go with another school.

One of my favourite hockey teams is, in fact, the Ottawa Senators, which I got to watch on TV while we were staying at the Algonquin College Residence. Ottawa is a beautiful city and I really enjoyed seeing everything including the Parliament Buildings. Once again, Id like to say thank you for helping me to go to Ottawa. It was greatly appreciated.

Student, Simcoe County District School Board

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My deepest thanks to you for the support and financial grant towards my New York art trip which has left me with fond memories. To sum up in a few words The trip was awesome and I enjoyed it very much! It was a beautiful experience that taught me so much about art and information on the City of New York. This trip marked the first time I had ever visited such renowned museums and it was the first time I had seen professional and accomplished artwork up close. I cannot describe how awesome and exhilarating it was to see the paintings and sculptures in person, as opposed to seeing pictures of them in a textbook..Once again, I am grateful to the Mary Lynn Higgins Youth Fund for financing my trip and giving me an opportunity to have such an enriching experience.

Grade 11 Student Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board

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My trip to Chicago was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I made many friends, some as close as family. I represented my school well and we came third. The sites we went to were amazing and the people were so nice to us. I went to the aquarium and we saw the gnarliest turtle in the world. It was the size of my bedroom. We also saw spider crabs. They looked just like a spider, but an underwater version. My teachers were very supportive of our band group. They motivated us to do our best and to have fun doing it. Thanks for helping me out, I had the time of my life.

Student, Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board

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I am writing to say thank you for the money to participate in the Chicago trip/music competition. I personally had a great time in Chicago despite not coming in first place. As you may have known I participated in both the choir and band portion of the competition singing and playing with the best of my abilities. In all the trip was a great learning experience for me and a total success as for my musical education having participated in my first competition every. In closing I would like to say thank you for your generosity, your kindness will remain with me through my career as a student and musician.

Student, Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board