5,000 UG students fill Sleeman Centre for Empowerment Day
May 9, 2023
Guelph, ON — On May 4, 2023, for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, 5,000 students gathered in the Sleeman Centre to celebrate Empowerment Day 2023.
Empowerment Day has a rich history in the UGDSB as an event led by students, for students.
Students around the Upper Grand from grades 5 to 8 were excited to hear from keynote speakers and their fellow peers about this year’s theme: “Why not now? Going Outside Your Comfort Zone.”
“We want students to challenge themselves to make a positive difference within their schools and communities. Reflect on their beliefs and ways in which they personally feel they can improve,” said Elora Public School teacher, Andy Speers. The event was organized and led by students from Elora PS.
One by one, speaker after speaker came out, invigorating the audience with their own personal experiences centred around this year’s theme.
Spencer West – a disability advocate who was born with a birth defect that led to both his legs being amputated at the knee – spoke to the students about his personal life and overcoming physical, mental and environmental obstacles and navigating those challenges with a disability. He inspired students by letting them know it’s okay to ask for help when struggling as long as you don’t give up.
After West, Myrna Hutchison – founder of ‘Get in Touch for Hutch’, a mental health organization – spoke about the importance of talking about mental health and how when someone says the words “I’m fine” it often means they are not. Hutchison also shared the story of her son dying by suicide and how it led to her advocating for mental health awareness and supports to then starting Get in Touch for Hutch.
Next was Clara Hughes – a 6-time Olympic medalist and mental health advocate. Hughes spoke of having a rough adolescence where she acted out as a teen and going on a personal journey to then become a world champion. Hughes shared with students that, “Whatever your dreams are they will be balanced with struggle, darkness and light. Everyone has a story and truth inside, everyone has something beautiful to share.”
The last speaker of the day was Orlando Bowen – former linebacker in the CFL and now an advocate for civil justice. Bowen shared his personal story about how his football career came to an end and how that started him on a personal journey to sharing about systemic racial injustices within the system of law enforcement. He shared his message of forgiveness with students, but also urged them to speak up when they see injustices in their own lives.
Empowerment Day closed out with a performance with a group called, Choir! Choir! Choir! – led by two Canadian musicians Daveed Goldman and Nobu Adilman, who had the thousands of students in attendance singing along. Students participated in a rendition of ‘Sweet Caroline’ to close out the event.
A lot of work was put into putting together Empowerment Day 2023 – many hours went into the planning of this year’s event from June of last year up until the day of the event.
“I personally hope that students learn to go outside of their comfort zones. The purpose of this day is to leave the youth empowered, knowing they can create GREAT differences in their world, community, and beyond,” said student M.C., Parth S.
Next year’s Empowerment Day will mark the ten year anniversary of when Empowerment Day was first started. Speers mentioned, “for the ten year anniversary, we will have some surprises up our sleeve.”
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