Please support the 2024 UPCS R.A.P. F.A.I.R!

The R.A.P. F.A.I.R. (Revolutions and Protests that Fought Against Imperial Rule) is a curriculum that combines hip hop and visual art as a medium for my 9th grade students to tell the stories of revolutionary, independence movements in World History. Groups of students (4 per group) will be assigned a country from around the world to learn how they fought back against colonialism. Through the use of rap, poetry, and visual art; scholars will perform their research and tell these stories in front of a live audience consisting of peers, teachers, community members, and a panel of judges. My 10th grade student interns host, organize, and design this event, which will also include prizes, food, games, music, and performances from community artists.  My 9th graders always hear from the upperclassmen about how exciting and fun this event is, and we need some financial help to maintain this enthusiasm. This fundraiser is set up to help make this event fun, exciting, and something the kids will look forward to. Years ago, many people donated to help make this event possible, now I need your help again.

Students yearn for something to look forward to outside of the traditional classroom. It is my hope that this event gives them a space to artistically express themselves and learn from each other in authentic ways, while having some rewards to work toward. Students will compete for prizes will be in the form of gift certificates to winning student groups - this is a special way to acknowledge distinguished performers and highlight group efforts and talents. Individual Prizes will be also awarded to students to recognize individual efforts such as best visual artwork and best historical reacher. Lastly, what makes this event special is that students get a chance to see rap artists and break dancers from Worcester perform throughout the day, creating an authentic hip hop atmosphere and environment where students feel and learn that hip-hop culture is thriving beyond the classroom.

With your financial support, my school will be able to purchase prizes, food, and decorations for this event from local businesses.  This support will also help provide some monetary compensation for these outside community performers in giving up their time

I'm asking for $1,140 to help support and fund the following:

1. $440 for gift card prizes for student groups and individual awards

2. $450 for gift card compensation for community performers (3 sets of 150$ gift for each performer/group coming to present a half hour act to students)

3. $250 for decorations, party planning supplies, and other materials to design the space (streamers, signs, inflatables, costumes, posters, noisemakers, props, etc.) that my 10th grade student interns want for the event.