Notes from an IGC Winner: Suzy Ryan, Carlsbad Unified School District
Carlsbad Seaside Academy students listen as Salva talks about WFSS and how their fundraising helps people in South Sudan.
In 2021 when I received the jaw-dropping news that Carlsbad Seaside Academy (CSA) had won the Iron Giraffe Challenge, I was so overcome with joy that I couldn’t speak. Once I got over the shock that Salva was coming to Carlsbad, California, Salva’s team and I started planning the two-day event blitz.
This was Salva’s schedule:
Carlsbad Mayor Pro-Tem Keith Blackburn and Salva Dut
Day 1: Monday, 9/19/22—Salva spoke at Carlsbad High-Noon Rotary Club. Later that night, Salva attended a house party and received a proclamation from Carlsbad Mayor Pro-Tem Keith Blackburn.
Day 2: Tuesday, 9/20/22—Salva spoke to students at the Cultural Arts Center at Carlsbad High School and enjoyed lunch and conversation with 25 selected students. Salva topped off the series of epic events with a book signing at Dove Library later that night. The book signing also brought a special guest; Salva was interviewed by Quade, Scholastic Kids’ Kid Reporter, for a special feature about WFSS and Salva Dut. More to come on this in 2023!
Carlsbad Mayor Pro-Tem Keith Blackburn and Salva Dut
For Salva’s visit, Carlsbad Seaside Academy had two goals, and we met both of them. We encouraged students who had read Salva's story in A Long Walk to Water that they too are resilient and can overcome their adversity to change the world just like Salva did. We also presented Salva with a check for $15,000 and are on our way to building part of another well.
My favorite part of Salva’s visit was the school assembly. With 465 cheering students, a group of fifth-grade pupils from La Costa Heights Elementary presented Salva with a $15,000 oversized plastic check (click to watch a video of the check presentation). I’ll never forget the wonderment on Salva’s face, and his humble thank you after he realized that the check was enough to build a complete well and change the lives of hundreds of South Sudanese people.
“It was a phenomenal trip. Suzy is an absolutely super supporter—we are incredibly grateful to have her in our corner. Thank you to the entire community for making us feel so welcome and for going above and beyond to make the trip meaningful. Thank you, Carlsbad. We miss you already!” ~Lynn Malooly, WFSS Executive Director
