Beyond Borders students raise over $48,000 at Ambition Gala
January 15, 2018
GUELPH, Ontario – On January 13, students in the Beyond Borders program hosted a charity gala at the River Run Centre. The charities that proceeds supported were The Hospital for Sick Children, Twin-To-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) at Mount Sinai and the Syrian Refugee Crisis.
Beyond Borders is one of the UGDSB’s Experiential Learning Programs. It explores integrated and experiential educational opportunities, with a focus on business and leadership. The program is run out of the Guelph Youth Music Centre (GYMC). After completing a rigorous application process, 50 Grade 12 students take the program in the fall semester, earning credits in business, math and advanced leadership. Students develop skills outside of the classroom, going on field trips and exploring business practices.
Beyond Borders students put on the “Ambition” charity gala as their final project. The students were responsible for every aspect of the event from planning and marketing to booking the entertainment. Students secured corporate sponsors and were tasked with staying on budget.
The night featured inspiring guest speakers, amazing performances, a silent auction and great food. Students opened the event by showing a video about the Beyond Borders program and the impact the program has on students. The Masters of Ceremony for the event were Beyond Borders students Brigitte and Sean.
The night featured several musical artists including Toronto folk singer, Megan Bonnell, Pretam Sengupta, whose music conveyed messages of hope and Guelph composer Nauroz Tanya, who shared a powerful story of how he saved a young child from the Mediterranean Sea after a migrant boat capsized.
Offering the audience a unique musical performance were Heidi Langille and Lynda Brown. Heidi and Lynda came to the gala from Ottawa, Ontario, to share traditional Inuit throat singing. They not only shared some traditional songs and knowledge, but also taught the audience how to throat sing.
The evening was filled with inspirational speeches and presentations from guest acts as well as people representing the charities being supported by the gala. Each year, Beyond Borders students have the chance to travel to Camp Tawingo; Camp Director Mike Pearse was on hand to talk about what an inspiration working with Beyond Borders has been.
Wali Shah, is a highly acclaimed Canadian speaker and poet. He shared some original poetry that inspired the audience and really made them think about what is happening around the globe. Danby Products Ltd. CEO, Jim Estill spoke about the Syrian Refugee Crisis, one of the charities that will benefit from the funds raised at “Ambition”.
Representing Mount Sinai Hospital and TTTS was Dr. Greg Ryan. Dr. Ryan shared information about how TTTS affects identical twins and how if no treatment is given, one of the fetuses does not make it to term. Dr. Ryan thanked Beyond Borders students for the amazing fundraising work they have done for TTTS and shared how their contributions help Mount Sinai fund equipment.
Extreme courage could be felt in the words of the speaker representing The Sick Kids Hospital. Younger sister of one of the Beyond Borders students, Lara spoke about her time at The Sick Kids Hospital as she battled osteosarcoma. Lara is a fifteen-year-old Centennial CVI student and her battle to reach remission was truly inspiring. Lara’s words deeply touched everyone in the room and allowed the audience to hear firsthand how children and families, like Lara and her family will feel the donation to The Sick Kids Hospital.
Also representing Centennial CVI was the school’s dance group, Dance Inc. The group shared some original dance pieces and the love of dance was seen through their performance.
The show closed with two musical acts. On stage for her fourth Beyond Borders Gala was Alysha Brilla. Brilla is a critically acclaimed Indo-Tanzanian Canadian singer, songwriter, producer and two-time Juno Award Nominee. Beyond Borders students presented Brilla with a gift at the end of her performance to recognize her contributions to Beyond Borders over the last four years.
Following Brilla’s performance two Beyond Borders students took to the stage for one final musical act. Tabitha and Vicky performed a song together that really captured the message of the evening.
The “Ambition” Gala was a huge success for students with $48,816.15 raised for three causes that have personally touched the Beyond Borders program. Beyond Borders students should be truly proud of the work they did leading up to “Ambition” and the impact the evening made on the community.
For more information about Beyond Borders, please visit their website.
Categories: News Tags: Experiential Learning