GUELPH, ON – On May 2, over 5,000 Upper Grand students filled the Sleeman Centre for the 10th anniversary of Empowerment Day.
Ten years ago, UG students from Drayton Heights Public School first hosted this event to help empower students. Now in its 10th year, UG teacher Andy Speers and his class at Elora Public School are carrying on their legacy and continuing to run this amazing event for students, by students.
To mark 10 years of Empowerment, all guest speakers were a surprise this year. On May 2, the event saw four speakers from past Empowerment Days brought back to the stage. This surprise had students and staff on the edge of their seats trying to anticipate who would return.
To kick off the day, Luca Patuelli took to the stage to share his message with students and show off his dance skills. Patuelli spoke to students about being a dreamer and how it’s normal and okay for all of your dreams to not come true, but that dreams change with each accomplishment and help to shape the people we become.
Following Patuelli, was motivational speaker and body positivity singer, Stacey Kay. Kay had students singing and dancing along as she shared her songs and messages about loving yourself.
Following the lunch break, the Sleeman Centre welcomed Canadian Singer-Songwriter Peter Katz to the stage. Katz spoke to students about overcoming their fears and embracing vulnerabilities and discomforts to pursue their dreams. He spoke to students about achieving dreams on the other side of their discomfort.
For the second year in a row to end off the show, Empowerment Day saw Choir! Choir! Choir! bring down the house. Always a fan favourite, Choir! Choir! Choir! got students singing and dancing to each and every song they performed!
Empowerment Day takes months of planning and hard work. Thank you to all the sponsors who helped make Empowerment Day possible and to all students and staff who helped run the show.
