Harrisburg Academy
One local school is turning its focus outside its walls to help neighbors globally.
Harrisburg Academy, a private school in Wormleysburg, plans to assist Ukrainian refugees through fundraisers, supply donations and possible scholarships.
“One of the missions of our school is to teach students to make the world a better place,” said Adrian Allan, head of school. “Our students very quickly put together something to help displaced Ukrainians.”
The initiative, organized by Harrisburg Academy students, includes partnering with the nonprofit Mission Central of Mechanicsburg.
March 23 will be “Denim Day” at the school, where students can pay $1 to wear jeans, instead of their usual uniforms. This money will be donated. They will also be collecting supplies such as hand warmers, first-aid kits, blankets and hygiene items. All contributions will be donated through Mission Central.
Community members also can get involved by donating supplies on March 23 at Mission Central.
Additionally, Allan said that the school is prepared to offer three full-ride scholarships to their high school to displaced Ukrainian students who may arrive in the local area. These scholarships would cover all four years of the students’ high school education.
While Allan does not yet know if any Ukrainian families will come to the area, he has partnered with pastors at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camp Hill to keep a lookout.
Harrisburg Academy is an International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), which means the school has a focus on providing students with a global perspective and critical thinking skills.
According to Allan, the IB program is recognized in Ukraine. If refugee students returned to the country after graduating from Harrisburg Academy, their diplomas would be recognized as a high academic standard for college admission, he said.
Harrisburg Academy’s IB program also has a strong focus on service. Students plan, organize and complete several service projects throughout their years at the school, he said. The decision by students to help Ukrainian families wasn’t a required project, but something they did on their own. For Allan, this is what their school’s mission is all about.
“We ask students, if you hear about global issues, what are you going to do about it?” he said. “Something we tell them is that it’s not enough to know, you must act.”
Harrisburg Academy is located at 10 Erford Rd, Wormleysburg. For more information, visit their website.
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