Photos by Max Korff

A new tradition P-CEP student congresses started this year was charity week that took place during the entire week of Feb. 19. Different events and fundraisers were held while all proceeds went to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. One of the events was a Coffee House fundraiser. This was the first year P-CEP student congresses have ever held an event like this.

The Coffee house was intended to be similar to an open mic night that coffee shops have. Students were asked to send in audition clips of themselves performing earlier in the month. If they were chosen, they got to perform their act at the Coffee House event which took place Thursday Feb. 22, from 6-9 p.m. in the Canton cafeteria.

Coffee and pastries were provided, and the cost of admission was $5. “Coffee House was a huge success! The performances were fantastic, and the event raised over $400 for charity. I know that this event will continue to grow each year that we do it, and next year’s Coffee House will be even better,” said Izzy Tiplady, one of the student coordinators and Plymouth junior.

“The Coffee House was possible to the hard work of individuals from all three congresses including: Drew Labelle (Canton), Sean Richards (Canton), Gina Hubbell (Plymouth), Izzy Tiplady (Plymouth), Haven Essien (Salem), and Hannah Duenas (Salem) and I am so proud of them. This awesome leadership team helped create a comforting environment for students to share their gifts and talents with parents and peers. I was impressed by the personalization of the event; each performer was announced and cheered for and that was well deserved. The best part of the event was that the school body came together with one goal: to raise awareness for mental Illness partnering with NAMI,” said Alyssa Ewell, Canton Congress President.

Performances included singers, ukulele players, guitar and piano.

“I wanted to perform because I love to perform and be on stage. I wanted to play a part in benefiting the charity that congress chose to donate to the National Alliance on Mental Illness,” said Dea Taipi, Canton sophomore and congress member.

There were a lot of students who came out to support their friends performing, as well as families.

“I think the turnout was great! It was nice to see a lot of people show up, and there weren’t just families, there were friends coming to support the cause and the performers too, which was awesome,” said Taipi.

Coffee was provided by Biggby Coffee, while donuts and other pastries were donations from congress members.

“Next year I am most looking forward to raising even more money for charity,” said Tiplady.

Congress plans on hosting this event as an annual affair in years to come.