6502 Kildare Road Tel: (514) 731-3841 Côte Saint-Luc, QC, Fax: (514) 731-0343 H4W 3B8 www.jppsbialik.ca

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Bialik High School Glee Club claims first place at the 5th Annual Just for Kids G!EE High School Showdown. All the proceeds generated from this event go straight towards the ENT (Ears, Nose and Throat) and Urology departments at the Children’s Hospital.

MONTREAL, Québec —November 19, 2014 — When the Bialik High School Glee Club walked onto the stage yesterday, they felt like winners. They did not know if they would win the competition, but they felt great about raising just under $3500.00 for such a meaningful cause, surpassing their fundraising goal after months of hard work and dedication. For the second time in five years, the Bialik High School Glee Club came in first place at the Just For Kids G!EE High School Showdown held November 16th at Loyola High School.

Eleven local high schools participated in the competition: LaurenHill Academy, Lester B. Pearson, Trafalgar (second place), Selwyn House, ECS, John Rennie High School (third place), Vincent Massey Collegiate, Bialik High School, , Kuper Academy and Royal Vale.

Virgin Radio Montreal’s very own Tony Stark and Total Entertainment’s Corey Wolofsky hosted the event. Some generous sponsors were Michael Kors, Moroccanoil, Ardene, Bench and Virgin Radio, Avanti Le Spa, Little Burgundy, Via Rail, Cinemas Guzzo, Cake Boss, Suite 203 Communications, Bijouterie Santorini, Costco and many more. The judges were Sandra Rinaldi, Evenko’s Public Relations Director, Connie Rotella, Owner and Artistic Director of Danse 123 and Mac Thornhill, well-known music Producer, songwriter and singer.

The “Just For Kids” Foundation was created in 1987 by a small group of parents who saw the need to raise funds to purchase state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Since their inception, they are proud to have purchased over $10 million in equipment. The JFK 2014-15 campaign, A GROWING PROMISE, is centered on being able to fulfill the MCH’s most urgent equipment needs. This year’s annual goal is to raise $500,000 to benefit the Otolaryngology (ENT) and Urology departments. Sandra D’Alesio Lanno, President of the JFK Foundation, stated, “Dedication to our G!EE High

School Showdown allows the JFK Foundation to continue to fulfill our mission; ensuring that the patients at the Montreal Children’s Hospital are treated using the most up-to-date equipment possible.” This year, the total money raised from the 5th Annual G!EE High School Showdown was $115,000.00, with $30,000.00 that came in directly from the students participating.

Ali Greenberg Kastner, Chair of the 2014 G!EE Committee commented that, “Pairing unbelievable local youth talent and their creative energies with JFK’s dedication to supporting new equipment purchases at the Montreal Children’s Hospital is a proven winning combination!”

The winning number that the Bialik High School Glee Club chose to perform was “Somebody To Love,” the version taken from the hit television show, GLEE. Ms. Samantha Druzin, the Bialik High School Student Life Animator, a Bialik graduate herself, could not have been more proud of her team:

“My goal was to provide our students with an opportunity to be involved in something amazing which they will be able to carry with them for the rest of their lives. Bialik has been involved in the JFK Glee High School Showdown for five years in a row. Each year has been a rewarding and memorable experience. Although several of our students are graduating this year, I am certain that they will come back to visit the school and continue to be involved, much like Samantha Leibgott (Assistant Coach) and Brandon Schwartz (Musical Director); Bialik graduates who were also part of the 2011 winning Glee team. Our students love their school and love giving back to the community.”

The Bialik High School Glee team was featured on Global this morning: http://globalnews.ca/video/1675768/gee-high-school-showdown

Video Compilation of the event: https://vimeo.com/112035921

--30-- For photos or interviews, please contact the undersigned.

Brittany Witt Coordinator of Communications and Marketing JPPS-Bialik O: 514-731-3841, ext. 233 C: 514-887-9778 E: [email protected]