LWA Middle School helps break Guinness World Record

October 18, 2007

Middle School students at Lawrence Woodmere Academy helped break the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to “STAND UP AGAINST POVERTY” in 24 hours.

Over 38.7 million people stood up in 110 countries on October 16 and 17 to break the record- set last year at 23.5 million. It is organized by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP), along with other partners.

At 12:30 p.m. on October 17, students taking the Global Concerns class stood up and led the Middle School in a reading of the pledge against poverty, which encourages world leaders to meet the challenges of the Millennium Development Goals and demand a more urgent political response to the growing crisis of global poverty.

“Taking part in a worldwide event is a very important experience for Middle Schoolers. They directly experienced being part of a much larger group beyond their school community. 

Helping students become aware of issues on a global level prepares them to be better citizens of our global community. Developing understanding of issues and the compassion that naturally flows from the connection they have made is a responsibility we take to heart at Lawrence Woodmere Academy,” Donna Linton, the Middle School Director, said.