Yay SGR Yay!

Students for Global Responsibility (SGR)- a weighted name for a high school club. Changing the world isn't at the top of most high schools students' priority lists; rather, it takes a poor second to partying, studying, playing sports, and various other after-school activities. But for some, the abundance of global problems has struck a chord, and for these students, a couple of after-school hours here and there is a small price to pay to help hundreds of less fortunate people.

And for these students, SGR has provided the means to have a global impact. "Our slogan is think globally, act locally- and- if possible, act globally," said physics teacher and club sponsor Rick Moats. "And we have done lots of work in the outside world- we've touched Africa, Central America, and China…"

What is SGR?

SGR is a club that works on charitable projects in order to help needy and poverty-stricken individuals. Working not only locally, but across the globe, SGR has had surprising success in many of its difficult endeavors.

The club is organized by having leaders for each important issue that the club addresses and having a group work with each leader. Each meeting, the different groups come together and discuss their progress and plans, with their approximate 60 members.

But the essence of SGR, according to club president, junior Cory Choy, is the sponsor. "Basically, Mr. Moats is god. He helps with everything."

Club History

SGR originated as a branch of Blair club Amnesty International, but developed into its own club about 15 years ago, with Moats as the original sponsor. Some of SGR's original projects include raising money to purchase cows in Central America and helping to rebuild the town of Santa Marta.

As SGR has progressed over the years, rebuilding the town of Santa Marta and helping its citizens has been one of the club's ongoing projects. The town was destroyed by El Salvador's military for speaking out against the government, and the people of the town have been working to re-create their old town. SGR held a talent show and used the proceeds to buy the town a shoe-making machine. The club has also raised enough money to purchase a cow and a half for the town under a Silver Spring program that helps to feed malnourished children. Overall, the Silver Spring program has raised enough money to buy a field full of cows.

Two club members, Gwynyn Holobaugh and Michaela Sachs, visited the town to gain an idea of how the people live. "Visiting Santa Marta- it really changed my life forever. It's so different and you see a completely different culture there. Despite their poverty, their society is so… hopeful, I guess. It's not like they're sitting there complaining about their life," say Sachs.

Another one of SGR's ongoing projects is sponsoring a boy in Mozambique through the Save the Children organization, which costs approximately $500 per year, according to Moats.

Current Events

And for this year, SGR's become involved in even more projects, showing the development and success of the club.

Thus far, SGR's done three stream clean-ups; Long Branch, Sligo Creek, and Northwest Branch. Culb president Cory Choy says that SGR may be doing some more this year.

SGR has done a backpack drive this year where they received backpack donations and then donated those backpacks to needy people. An SGR-organized canned food drive is also set to begin November 12th.

A group of SGR members visits the Shepherd's table regularly to bring hundreds of pounds of rice and other food to aid the charity. There is a major SGR event scheduled for earth day and the SGR Spectacular, a talent show for the whole school, will occur at some point this year.

And for a touch of group bonding and fun, SGR spent the night at Smith Island for an environmental outing organized with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Another Chesapeake Bay Foundation trip is a possibility for this year, says Choy.

Choy plays down SGR's rather hectic schedule with a smile. "Maybe two more sleep-outs, maybe some more trips- and- yeah, I think that's it for this year," says Choy. "That's a lot for one club."