Montreal high school students do thousands of chin-ups to inspire, uplift each other
It was a great feat for students at Options and Venture high schools in Montreal: 20,000 chin-ups together.
Their motto: 'All go, no quit,' could he heard echoing from the gym, where they've been doing chin-ups for weeks, taking turns on the bar with classmates and new friends.
'It feels good. It's like a sense of community, not doing it by yourself,' said Ryan Baki, an Options student. 'There are other people helping you, cheering you on.'
It's a leadership class project challenge dedicated to the students' families, with each classmate writing a letter to the person they are thinking of as they pull their body weight up.
'I'm doing chin-ups for a family member who's struggling with addiction, and I hope this encourages them to keep their chin up during their hardest battles,' said Olivia Clark–Gauthier, a Grade 10 student.
'I'm doing this for my mother,' adds Marley Angutiqjuaq, a Grade 9 student. 'She's dealing with a lot right now. Depression, divorce and grief.'
The message is 'stay strong,' according to event co-organizer and teacher Jason Gannon.
'Do not give up, to not have their head down just because they might be down right now, but to keep that chin up,' he said.
Every year, the leadership project tests students' resilience in meaningful ways.
'To challenge themselves in ways that they probably wouldn't have even thought of had they not come here and been put through rigorous academic and physical challenges,' explained teacher and co-organizer James Bray.
The aim of the activity is to teach and inspire mutual greatness.
One of the students, Olive Justicia-Acosta, says she went from not being able to do one pull-up to being 'the chin-up champ.'
She just got accepted into Dawson College.
'In the future, I won't be as hesitant to take on difficult challenges,' said Justicia-Acosta.
It's a powerful feeling for teenagers who are making their way forward in school and life.
'Their energy, their emotions, their empathy has an outlet, and they're proud to tell that person that they're thinking about, about what they've done in honour of them,' said Gannon.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Blood drive being held in memory of late Royal Canoe bassist and partner
Katherine speaks with Jennifer Doerksen, who is helping organize a blood drive in memory of Royal Canoe's Brendan Berg and his partner Olivia Michalczuk.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
N.S. public health reporting 30 cases of measles in northern part of province
A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic in St. Thomas, Ont., on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Geoff Robins HALIFAX — Nova Scotia Health says there are now 30 cases of measles in the northern part of the province. The health agency had reported a single case on July 7 in the northern zone, and says it is believed that all 30 infections stem from travel within Canada to regions where measles is known to be circulating. 'Currently, new cases are mainly found in large households and specific, small communities with close contact,' said a Thursday statement from Nova Scotia Health. Health officials said the rise in cases was expected because it's common for secondary infections to appear within seven to 21 days after initial measles cases are identified. Eight of 30 cases in the northern zone have been lab-confirmed and the remaining are considered confirmed based on patients' household exposure and symptoms. Despite the rise in infections, the risk to the general public is still considered low. The provincial health agency is reminding Nova Scotians that the best protection against measles is vaccination, and every person born after 1970 should have two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine after their first birthday. Nova Scotia's Department of Health says 93.4 per cent of children who turned two years old in 2024 had received one dose of the measles vaccine, and 78.6 per cent were fully vaccinated with two doses. A spokesperson with the department says actual measles vaccination rates in Nova Scotia may be higher 'because of under-reporting.' Scientists, meanwhile, say that a population needs a vaccination rate of 95 per cent — with two doses — to stop measles from spreading. In May, a single case of measles was reported in the Halifax Regional Municipality, but there were no secondary infections identified with the original case, now considered 'resolved.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2025. By Lyndsay Armstrong
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Increase in measles virus detected through wastewater surveillance: WECHU
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has sent reminders to school-aged children who are overdue for the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine after an increase in the virus in wastewater surveillance in the region. WECHU says while no direct link has been established between the wastewater signal and school-aged populations, the signal serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high community immunization coverage to protect children.' Wastewater surveillance is one of the tools we use to monitor public health trends,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, WECHU medical officer of health. 'Although clinical measles cases remain low, the presence of the virus back in the wastewater suggests that we must remain vigilant.'WECHU is offering catch-up immunization clinics throughout the summer to help families in need of support with immunizations. 'We want to make it as easy as possible for families to access this important vaccine,' said Dr. Aloosh. 'With the school year approaching and the measles virus detected in wastewater, this is a timely opportunity to ensure our community remains protected against measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.' Residents are encouraged to check their immunization records and contact their healthcare provider or WECHU for help.
