In a world where “bullying” is a buzz word it was refreshing to see a local event all about giving students tools to feel good about themselves and succeed in their lives rather than focusing on life’s negatives.
The second annual Empowerment Day put on by the Drayton Heights Public School student council was a resounding success. Keynote speaker Col. Chris Hadfield, Me to We’s Molly Burke, Olympic champion Brian Price and local musician Sarah Smith held the students’ attention.
And how did they do it? They shared their strategies for overcoming their challenges. The speakers even gave students tips to develop their own strategies.
Take Molly Burke as an example. The motivational speaker learned she had a genetic eye disease when she was just four years old and was losing her sight by the time she was in Grade 8. Her so-called friends bullied her when she lost her sight and she eventually left elementary school.
But the moment that really resonated with her youthful audience was when she told them about the first time she stood up for herself.
Burke was a rock climbing instructor as a teen and one day a mother stormed into the gym and said she didn’t trust a “blind girl” to keep her daughter safe. After the initial embarrassment, Burke turned to the woman, explained she was a qualified instructor and said if the woman didn’t trust her to keep the girl safe the woman could go to another climbing gym. The woman sat back down and Burke had a smooth lesson with her student.
When Burke finished the story the arena roared with deafening applause and cheers. The students really understood, they got it and it was inspiring.
It’s important to acknowledge bullying and continue to teach about its negative impacts but it’s just as important to help students better their own lives and teach them how to cope regardless of the situation – and we thank the Empowerment Day organizers for doing just that.
Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield taught students to identify a personal “impossible” goal and strive to achieve it each and every day so they’re continuously making themselves better, more informed people.
Olympian Brian Price encouraged students to identify their individual character traits that help them deal with trying situations. He said they need to live these traits each and every day and they’ll have a road map to overcome any challenge.
Bullying happens at all ages, not just with youth so we encourage everyone, not just students and educators but everyone, to look at how you’re making the world a better place and how you’re bettering your life.
Maybe if you use some of the strategies the Upper Grand students were taught at Empowerment Day you’ll not only make your life a little better, but you’ll also improve the lives of everyone around you.
