Delburne School hosted its 10th annual Soapbox Derby on May 31st - an event the whole community eagerly anticipates and supports. It's an event that harkens back to simpler times, and one that brings generations and community members together.
The Soapbox Derby at Delburne School sees Grade 8 students create soap boxes over a period of several months. Starting with a kit ordered from Manitoba, along with purchased plywood, each student and their partner builds a go-kart like vehicle from scratch, paints it and equips it with wheels and a steering mechanism.
The students must also write letters and approach local businesses to find sponsors for their
vehicle, which is how the project is funded each year. In addition, each student serves on a
committee that supports the various aspects of the project; the committees include awards, race day set up, scheduling, video / documentation, organizing the sponsorship night event, and creating thank yous for sponsors.
In total,15 cars raced this year in a double elimination event, on a road in the village that slopes downwards, temporarily closed to regular traffic. At times, during the races, wheels fell off leaving a clear winner. Other times the two vehicles that scooted down the ramp, and down the road, were neck and neck to the finish line, only stopping at the line of tire bumpers. In between heats, younger students filled the street for a dance off.
“The students look forward to the Soapbox Derby every year,” said Cheryle Bourne, the teacher who leads the project at Delburne School. “They love building their own vehicle and the day of the race is always exciting. Our community is very supportive and we are grateful.”
Jocelyn Pennock, Principal of Delburne School, said, “The annual Soapbox Derby is an
incredible event that bridges our school and our community. It is so special to watch our
students work with the Village of Delburne and our local sponsors to make this event such a
huge success. We love watching our streets lined with students, parents and community
members cheering on our racers.”
Bourne said she first came up with the idea when the province changed its curriculum to include Career and Technology Foundations (CTF) courses for junior high students. She knew building the vehicles would give students experience with building and construction, fulfilling CTF requirements. She also anticipated some cross curricular opportunities like using math for measuring and building, and English for writing sponsorship request letters.
Last year was the first group of Grade 8 students to have seen the races ever since they were in kindergarten. This year’s class has also watched with anticipation for many years.
Students say Soapbox Derby helps them prepare for the future
“I couldn’t wait to try it,” said Jaelyn Cummings, a Delburne Grade 8 student, who has attended Delburne School since kindergarten. “It looked like it would be a fun and cool experience, especially getting to design your own car,” she said.
“I liked that we got to pick our own partners, and design our own cars,” said Juliet Williams, a
Grade 8 student. “We got to be in control. It helps us prepare for the future and get ready for a job. It gives us an idea about being adults and managing money and being responsible.”
Williams said she learned that “communication is key” when working with a partner.
Community eagerly anticipates the event
Dozens of community members cheered on the racers. Many were from Delburne, but some are from elsewhere and come to Delburne especially for the races.
Red Deer resident, Susan Yaworski, just happened to be driving through Delburne last year
when the Soapbox races were underway. “It was so fun that we stayed to watch, and then I just had to look it up and come again this year,” she said. Yaworski brought a friend too. “It’s a nice event to see the kids so excited and fun to see their cars,” said Yaworski.
Delburne resident, and proud grandparent, Cheryl Babb said, “This teaches the students so
many things, like using math and tools and assembly skills. Also, it’s about connection. It brings a lot together in a little town.”
Student Jaelyn Cummings agrees. “It’s an event that brings us all together,” she said. “It’s not
just our school. Lots of citizens come out. I think that says they care about us and they know it's important to us and it is to them too.” www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq9MxPR0_8E Story Submitted by: Laurette Woodward, Chinook's Edge School Division
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