'Kindness matters' the theme of Empowerment Series

DRAYTON – The annual student-run Empowerment Day has returned with a twist.

Started by two Drayton Heights Public School students in 2014, the goal was to uplift students with a one-day show featuring motivational speakers and performers with positive messages.

With the help of teacher Andy Speers, Empowerment Day quickly gained traction with other schools in the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).

The first event was hosted at Drayton's PMD Arena with 1,300 students in attendance. The next year it moved to the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus and hosted 3,000 students.

For the next 10 years, the event was held at Guelph's Sleeman Centre and annually welcomed 5,000 students.

It has now evolved into the Empowerment Series – with unique speakers spread across four days in four different locations within the UGDSB area.

"For multiple reasons we have decided to go back to our roots and make our events a little bit smaller and more intimate," Speers told the Advertiser.

"We found it was really hard to hold the kids' attention for four and a half hours in that big area with so many other kids."

Speers transferred from Drayton roughly six years ago and is now a Grade 8 English teacher at Elora Public School.

"The day kind of came with me," he said, noting it is now entirely run by the Students Create Change group at the Elora school.

Twenty-five of the group's 60 students hosted the first instalment of the Empowerment Series at the Drayton Festival Theatre on March 5.

Over 600 students attended the 90-minute show, which focused on the importance of kindness.

Approximately 6,000 students in total will attend the four-part series.

The theme "Kindness Matters" was chosen as a reflection of the "world environment in which we're living in right now," Speers said.

Treating others and oneself with kindness has a lasting impact, he added.

Motivational speaker and singer Stacey Kay shared that message through songs on the Drayton theatre stage.

Kay, who has appeared on Canada's Got Talent and America's Got Talent, regularly speaks to students at all levels about hard work, body positivity, confidence and kindness.

She brought along a group of multi-instrumentalists and singers to her third appearance at an Empowerment Day event.

"Everybody looks different, acts different, talks different, has different talents and that is what makes the world the most exciting place ever," Kay told the audience.

She recalled doubting her looks and personality, but encouraged students to "just let that go" and "be brave."

Kay welcomed Canadian champion beat boxer Luke Stapleton, who has also appeared at previous Empowerment Day events.

Speers said the Drayton show is unique because it uses arts to deliver the message of kindness, whereas the remainder of the series will feature more keynote speakers.

"Empowerment Day helps motivate over 50,000 students ... I am so lucky to be part of it," Elora Public School Grade 8 student Jack Moore told the Advertiser.

He has been part of Empowerment Day twice and was one of the Drayton emcees.

"Kindness is a huge part of life. It'll help you create bonds with other people and lasting friendships," Moore said. "Because if you don't have kindness then what is there?"

He hopes to encourage people to "just be themselves and treat the person sitting next to you how you want to be treated."

The next Empowerment Series shows, which will feature former child soldier Michel Chikwanine, motivational speaker Brian Williams and three-time Paralympic gold medalist Patrick Anderson, are set for:

• April 22 at Elora Public School;
• April 23 at the University of Guelph Athletic Centre; and
• May 5 at the Orangeville Agricultural Society event centre.

Speers expressed immense gratitude for the series' sponsors, as "this day does not happen" without them.

The impact sponsor is Skyline and legacy sponsors include the Optimist Clubs of the UGDSB area, the school board and the Specialist High Skills Major Program.