Students from Trenton High School were thrilled to participate in a We Day event held in Toronto on October 2, 2014. That day, 20,000 youth gathered at the Air Canada Centre for a day of learning, celebrating and starting to create change.
Presenters at We Day Toronto included the following:
- Robin Wiszowaty, on the topic of economic empowerment.
- Leah from Kenya talked described the impact of the Me to We artisans on her life
- Musician Nelly Furtado, who introduced students Irene and Joan from from Free The Children's Kisaruni All Girls Secondary School, and who spoke about their history of education and how they are now economically empowered female leaders in their community
- Spencer West, who described We365, and how it can help individuals to change the world from the palm of your hand
- Colonel Chris Hadfield who encouraged the audience to become technological explorers
- Hannah Alper and Shawn Desman, who gave messages about social empowerment, and described how important it is to treat others who are different than you with kindness
- Ashley Murphy, who told the crowd about her experiences living with HIV and how she overcomes challenges
- Craig Kielburger who shared his passion for education and embracing your natural skills
- Katie Couric, who spoke about her upcoming documentary Fed Up, and how she educated herself on a cause she cares about to create it
- Kweku Mandela, Nelson Mandela's grandson, was spoke about his grandfather, emphasizing that empowerment means freedom
The Trenton students are enrolled in a Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program called Social Justice/Non-profit. This SHSM enables students to build a foundation of sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating and entering apprenticeship training, college, university, or a position in the workplace. Students will develop skills in the areas of problem solving, analysis, communication, cooperation, ethical values, consciousness and citizenship.
Description from the We Day website: "We Day brings young people together to celebrate the actions that they are taking in their local and global communities and to inspire another year of change by sharing the passion of world leaders and entertainers. We Day is tied to the year-long We Act program, which offers educational resources, campaigns and support materials to help turn the event's inspiration into sustained action. Through We Act, students commit to taking one local and one global action to better the world, earning their way to We Day. This October, the Air Canada Centre will be filled with 20,000 educators and youth for We Day Toronto."
For more information, please contact:
Kerry Donnell, Communications Officer, 613-966-1170 or 1 800 267-4350, extension 2354, [email protected]