Every once in a while, you get blindsided in a good way.
Ten months ago myself and two other Optimist Club members from Moorefield were invited to attend an event that, in all honesty, I knew little about: EmpoWErment Day.
Sure, my children had talked about it, telling me how amazing it was, but wow, was I in for a surprise.
On May 4, 2017, I was fortunate enough to attend the 3rd annual EmpoWErment day at the Sleeman Centre in Guelph. EmpoWErment Day can be best described as an inspirational presentation extraordinaire.
It’s an all-day event in which students are encouraged to empower themselves to be better; better to themselves, better to each other, to “change your thoughts, change your world.”
It’s an emotional roller coaster of powerful speakers and passionate students, where incredible stories were shared. My first impression was of the incredible quality of this event. It was astounding; so professionally organized, so well run. I kept thinking to myself there is no way this was put on by students.
The UGDSB should be proud of this group of students for putting on what has to be considered a flagship, circle-your-calendar, must-attend event. The quality of the speakers only strengthened my initial impressions; from the incredible story of Chris Temple and Zach Ingrasci, who documented their lives as they lived on $1 a day for two months in rural Guatemala; to Mariatu Kamara, who, at the age of 16, had her hands cut off by revolutionary fighters during the civil war in Sierra Leone; to the powerful poetry of Shane Koyczan; and my favorite with Luca ‘Lazy Legzz’ Patuelli.
Luca by himself would have been worth the price of admission. An incredible man with a debilitating muscle disorder that affects his legs, he proved that anything is possible with a simple message, “No limits, No excuses.”
Started in 2015 by students from Drayton Heights Public School, this event has exploded in popularity. Starting from humble beginnings at the PMD Arena, to the Fergus Sportsplex, to filling the Sleeman Centre in Guelph with over 5,000 students. An incredible journey to be sure. This year’s event, scheduled for May 3, promises to be even better.
Ask a Drayton Heights student in Grade 6 to 8 what this event means to them. Better yet, ask them after this year’s event.
The mission of the Moorefield Optimist Club is to help bring out the best in youth. The club is a proud sponsor of EmpoWErment Day.
On April 14 the Optimists are hosting a murder-mystery dinner at the PMD Arena in Drayton, with all proceeds going to EmpoWErment Day. For tickets ask an Optimist member or call 519-616-2095 for information.
