Change your thoughts, change your world: 5,000 students attend Empowerment Day
May 4, 2017
GUELPH, Ontario – It was a day of energy, excitement and messages that have the power to create agents of change in the world.
On May 4, the Upper Grand District School Board held its third annual Empowerment Day. World-renowned motivational speakers, presenters and performers came together to share powerful messages with more than 5,000 UGDSB youth.
The student-led event has grown tremendously in its three short years, beginning in 2015 as a passion project of two students from the Drayton Heights Student Council. Student Council decided to make it an annual event, opening it up to students in grades 6 to 8 from all over the UGDSB. Last year, the event moved to the Fergus Sportsplex to accommodate demand. This year’s event sold out the Sleeman Centre in Guelph.
The theme of this year’s event was “Change your thoughts, change your world.” Event organizers’ goal was to inspire youth to make a difference in their communities and beyond, helping them realize that they have the power to do so.
This year’s Empowerment Day presenters were Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci, Mariatu Kamara, Luca ‘Lazy Legzz’ Patuelli, and Shane Koyczan.
Temple and Ingrasci are award-winning documentary filmmakers and the creators of Living on One Dollar and Salam Neighbor. They asked students to think of a time they learned something and thought, ‘Wait, what?’ They encouraged the packed stadium to continually ask questions like, ‘How can I help?’ and ‘What really matters?’
Kamara is an author, activist and UNICEF Canada’s Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict. She shared her story of surviving Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war. Her story, heartbreaking, was one of hope – her hands were taken in the war, so she’s worked to touch the world with her heart.
Patuelli put on a show, wowing the crowd with his breakdancing moves and his stories of facing obstacle after obstacle. Patuelli was born with Arthrogryposis, a neuromuscular disorder that affects the bones and joints. Rather than letting obstacles stop him, he overcame them, in his own way. He lives by the motto, ‘No excuses, no limits.”
Koyczan, considered one of the best spoken word poets in the world, was the final presenter. He talked about the impact of bullying, the focus we place, misplace, on appearance and beauty, and about fostering a positive culture in our schools.
Also featured throughout the day were many students from Drayton Heights, who MC’d the event and introduced presenters. GCVI’s Marching Band kicked off the day with an energetic performance.
Following the powerful day, these 5,000+ students will return to their schools motivated and invigorated to create change in the world.
The event coincided with the UGDSB’s Child and Youth Mental Health and Well-being Week. Each day of the week had a different theme, as well as activities and resources for staff and students. Thursday’s theme was Empowerment, and students were encouraged to engage in empowering activities, like speaking up about things they believe in and picking one small thing to do to make their school better.
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