.jpg "South Middle School students hold and pet a puppy.")
Grain Valley South Middle School Art Teacher Codi Byington is no stranger to creating fun and engaging lessons for students. Over the past couple of years, Byington saw an opportunity to partner with a local shelter and give students the chance to create art, while also giving back to the community.
Just like many other shelters across the nation, Pawportunities located in Blue Springs, is often near or at capacity. The shelter supports animals to be fostered or adopted, but is always looking to find their animals the right fit for their forever home. As an individual passionate about animals and art, Byington saw a chance to enhance students' education while also giving back to the community.
“I have always been passionate about rescue animals, and so I started to think about how we could use our art program to give back to the community.” Said Codi Byington. “The idea came from my love for animals, and my desire to show students that art can do more than hang on a wall… it can make a difference,” said Byington.
After a presentation that brought puppies from the shelter, and an artist to provide drawing tips, eighth grade students picked an animal that is currently up for adoption at Pawportunities and began their work.
Once the portraits are finished, Grain Valley South Middle School will host a Silent Auction open to the public to attend and bid on these drawings the students have created. While only the second year completing the project, the silent auction has already made a difference. During the first silent auction, $1,298.00 was raised and four animals were confirmed to be adopted from Pawportunities in relation to the event.
This year's Silent Auction will be on November 21st from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Grain Valley South Middle School, (901 E Ryan Rd, Grain Valley, MO 64029). Pawportunities staff will be onsite during the Silent Auction to answer questions, and provide information about adopting or fostering animals through their shelter. The shelter will also have animals on site during the event.