SPHS Student Creates Dog Collars For Make-A-Wish Foundation

Effort Supports Ninth Annual Wish Week

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For Severna Park High School’s ninth annual Wish Week, junior Juliana Augustine, a second year Leadership Institute student, used her experience creating dog collars and leashes to help fundraise for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since she was in seventh grade, she has been making dog collars for fundraisers and service projects, and she recently added leashes to her creations.

“I deeply admire the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s mission to grant once-in-a-lifetime wishes to sick children because I know how even the smallest changes or events in someone’s life can make a big difference,” she said. “To date for this project, I have sold around 15 collars and leashes and have raised about $450 to grant wishes. The suggested price for a collar is $20 and $30 for a leash.”

Juliana got some social media advertising assistance from her mother, Jennifer Augustine, who posted the notice of the fundraiser on Facebook. The mother-daughter duo hand-delivered the Maryland orders.

“From this project, I learned that the smallest actions can make a huge impact. With my class this year, we’ve raised more than $24,000,” Juliana added. “I’ve also learned the value of working with a team, that way we not only get more outreach, but we also push each other to do even better.”

Juliana reminds everyone that they are never too small to make a difference when they have a passion for something, and she noted the expression, “The largest ripples can be created by the smallest stones.”

“I believe that it is important to be involved with your community because [these are the people] you go to for support,” she added. “They are also the ones who will keep supporting you until the end. My goal is to create something bigger than me, and I need the help of the community to do that.”

The Severna Park High School junior expects to attend Georgetown University to study foreign affairs and policy. In her final high school year, Juliana will study abroad in Jordan with the Youth Exchange and Study Abroad (YES Abroad) Program.

“I hope to not only inspire others to make a difference but to also make a difference in all I do,” Juliana explained. “With my year abroad coming up, I plan on volunteering overseas to build houses, help at orphanages and youth programs, and to help educate people back home about the opportunity of studying abroad.”

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