Barbara Roden
Free Press
WE Day, which took place in Vancouver on Oct. 21, brought students from around the province – including 38 from the 100 Mile House area – to Rogers Arena, where they attended an invitation-only event in support of Free the Children and the WE Schools educational program.
David Henderson, a Leadership teacher at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School, was one of the chaperones again this year.
The selection of those who attend is based on their fundraising and activism at a local and international level, he says.
Mackenzie Menzel, a Grade 11 student, attended WE Day in 2014.
“It was pretty cool to be in one place with a big group of people all there for the same reason: that we want to make a change in the world,” she says.
“We all came away wanting to help out and do more, and make changes in our community.”
Jacob Bryan, also a Grade 11 student, went this year, and wrote eloquently about what it meant to him. “I’ve always known that people had value. They were created with value, every one of them for a purpose, and given specific and wonderful dreams.
“WE Day solidified this truth within me, and was such an encouraging experience. Seeing so many passionate and brilliant people sharing their uplifting dreams and accomplishments was life changing.
“When you know that even just the kindness one spreads around school can change the world, it fires you up. I’m so excited to continue being in Leadership at my school.
“I may not be smart enough to find a cure for cancer, but the kindness I have to give may be what one brilliant kid needs to keep on going until he gets there. Thanks to WE Day, I’ve been inspired to give it freely.”
