As students approach the final chapter of high school, there is often a lot to think about graduation, college applications, future careers, and everything that comes with taking the next big step in life. For Whitney Butnor, a senior at Champlain Valley Union High School, this season is also an opportunity to give back. Whitney has joined SmartKids Ghana as a Laptop Fundraiser, choosing to use her time and personal network to help provide greater access to technology for scholars in Ghana. Her decision may seem simple, but the impact behind it is meaningful.
At SmartKids Ghana, we believe that access to technology can open doors to learning, creativity, communication, and future opportunities. Unfortunately, many scholars still face barriers when it comes to accessing the devices and resources they need to fully participate in today’s increasingly digital world. As a 12th-grade student at Champlain Valley Union High School, Whitney is preparing for an important transition in her own life. Yet, in the middle of planning for her future, she has chosen to make room for service and impact. That decision reflects an important kind of leadership. Leadership is not always about having a title or standing in front of a room. Sometimes, leadership looks like recognizing a need and deciding to do something about it. Sometimes it looks like using your voice to encourage others to support a cause. And sometimes, it simply looks like saying, “I want to help,” and following through. Whitney’s involvement with SmartKids Ghana is an opportunity for her to experience that kind of leadership firsthand.
Through her fundraising journey, she will not only be helping support the purchase of a laptop but will also gain valuable experience in communication, outreach, goal-setting, relationship-building, and fundraising. These are skills that can serve her well far beyond this project. Most importantly, Whitney is helping remind us that young people do not have to wait until they are older to make a difference. Her contribution may begin with a fundraising link, but the impact can extend much further. A laptop can help a scholar access educational resources, develop digital skills, complete assignments, explore new interests, and discover possibilities for their future. That is the kind of impact we are grateful to see our Student Ambassadors help create.
We are incredibly grateful to Whitney Butnor for choosing to support SmartKids Ghana and for taking on the responsibility of helping bridge the technology gap. We appreciate her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone, engage her community, and use her platform to support scholars in Ghana. As Whitney works toward her fundraising goal, we encourage everyone in her network to support her efforts in whatever way they can, whether through a donation, sharing her campaign, or simply helping spread the word about the mission. Every action matters. Whitney, thank you for choosing to be part of this mission. We are excited to walk alongside you during your fundraising journey and look forward to seeing the impact your efforts will create.
Your senior year is already a season of preparing for what comes next. We are grateful that, along the way, you have chosen to help create a brighter future for someone else. Welcome to SmartKids Ghana, Whitney. We are grateful to have you as part of our community, and we cannot wait to see the difference you will make.
