Orillia Secondary School (OSS) students will be "part of history" next year when they traipse through the sand at Juno Beach, just as young Canadian soldiers once dared.
But that journey begins with fundraising. And that is why the school is hosting a spaghetti dinner later this month.
Leanne Young, the chair for Canada and World Studies at Orillia Secondary School, will be taking 45 local students to France on May 30, 2024, to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
Since OSS first opened, Young says it's been a priority for the school to connect students to the memory of Canadian veterans.
"We feel this is such an important way to bring history to life for a lot of our students," she said. "It's an opportunity for them to walk in the footsteps of those who came before them."
In 2017, students from OSS and Twin Lakes Secondary School visited Vimy Ridge for the 100th anniversary of that historic battle.
"We had worked closely with those students with researching veterans from the Orillia area," Young explained. "Our students felt a very strong connection."
In 2019, OSS students travelled to Juno Beach for the 75th anniversary of the battle.
"It's life-changing for some of these students," Young said. "Some of them would not have an opportunity to see some of these important Canadian sites in their lifetime otherwise."
Students on the trip will be participating in the special anniversary ceremony at Juno Beach on June 6, as well as visiting many historical places where Canadians fought during both the First and Second World Wars. Their trip will take them to London, Dunkirk, Dieppe and Juno, before ending in Paris.
"When students are standing in a cemetery and seeing a gravesite for a 16-year-old Canadian soldier, they find a connection to the importance of these events that we are exploring on the trip," Young said.
On Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., students will be hosting a Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction at OSS to raise money for their trip.
The dinner will feature speaker Jayne Turvey, who will be talking about the similarities and differences between Dieppe and Juno Beach. Steph Dunn and Peter Flood will also be in attendance to provide musical entertainment for the evening.
Each student has paid approximately $4,900 for their trip. The dinner event aims to raise an extra $10,000 for supplemental costs.
"Some of these kids have done a phenomenal job working to save," Young said. "They are very excited to be a part of history."
Tickets for the fundraiser dinner are now available and cost $20 each. To purchase yours, contact Young at [email protected] or 705-329-4537.
OSS would like to thank community sponsors who have donated items for the auction as well as Hewitt's and Canoe Fresh Foods who are donating items for the meal.
