By: Saeed Akhtar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
CF Industries and Wallaceburg District Secondary School (WDSS) are celebrating a decade of partnership as they launch into the 2024-25 school year.
This collaboration highlights the significant impact that local industry and educational institutions can have when working together, demonstrating how shared resources benefit students and the broader community.
CF Industries has consistently provided financial support for a range of WDSS programs, including the annual holiday dinner, hospitality and welding programs, and the installation of water bottle filling stations. This year, the funds will enhance the school’s science and horticulture programs. Additionally, CF Industries hosted summer staff barbecues, raising more than $2,000 to support local student needs for food and hygiene items. The company also awards two annual $1,000 scholarships to help students pursue post-secondary education.
The partnership has created unique learning experiences for WDSS students, including Earth Day tree-planting events and hands-on construction projects where students have built Martin birdhouses, bat houses, duck house boxes, and a barn swallow shelter to support local wetlands. Cooperative education students have also attended career panels featuring local industry experts, offering valuable insights into various career options.
“We at WDSS are happy that our partnership with CF Industries has continued over the past few years. CF has remained a true community partner, helping our students by making yearly donations to the school. We appreciate how they have given back to their local community, and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future,” said Jeremy Gower, WDSS principal.
Davina Anderson, CF Industries’ human resources manager, said: “We take great pride in our partnership with WDSS. It is a privilege to give back to our community through both volunteer efforts and financial contributions that have a meaningful impact on students’ lives.”
As CF Industries and WDSS celebrate this milestone, they look forward to continuing their partnership to inspire future generations of learners and community leaders.
