"Both We Days were life changing experiences that I will never forget. It was so emotional and motivational to see inspirational speakers of all kinds speaking on the stage in front of 16,000 screaming youth who were eager to listen to their stories. Some of the special speakers, performers and celebrities included the Jonas Brothers, Jane Goodall, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Justin Bieber, Hedley, Elie Wiesel, Jessi Cruickshank, and of course the remarkable Craig and Marc Kielburger, founders of Free the Children."
We Day is an incredible day that celebrates the power of young people to change the lives of others. It is Free the Children's influential day empowering youth with the message that WE are the leaders of today and WE can and are changing the world one step at a time.
The hosts of both shows were Ben Mulroney and Tanya Kim(TK) who both co-host eTalk. They both did a great job pumping up the crowd and kept everyone entertained. At the Vancouver We Day, Cassandra Tracy, Miss Teen Maple-Ridge came along and we had a great time laughing and she settled me down while I got over-excited about the Dalai Lama speaking. So thank you Cassandra!:)
In Vancouver, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama moved the crowd with his speakings on caring and compassion. Words from this self described, "simple Buddhist monk," stick with me today. "Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive." The Dalai Lama is a remarkable man who encourages all to help others and spread peace around the world. I look up to him in so many ways and I was more than moved after listening to him speak in Vancouver at We Day.
Each Nobel Laureate, politician, host, and TV Star were treated like rockstars by the crowd and every one of them informed us about the issues around the globe, but they also spoke about how we can help the people who need us right here in Canada. One way that WE can help in our community is collecting items for our local food bank. Free the Children is putting on a campaign called 'Halloween for Hunger.' The key words while going out on Halloween is, "Trick or Treat and Food to Eat." Let your neighbours know ahead of time by slipping a newsletter in their mail box so they are prepared to help you make a difference. FACT: 2 out of 5 food bank users are children. Children who are hungry are less likely to succeed in school and more likely to get sick. HALLOWEEN FOR HUNGER
Sarah McLachlan dedicated her song World on Fire to Marc and Craig Kielburger and left the audience with not one dry eye. Her performance was beautiful and her words were moving. I am one of Sarah's new, biggest fans.
I had the opportunity to do a live feed interview with CP 24 where the famous cell phone wave took place in GM Place in the background. I proudly told those watching that like the cell phone wave, it all begins with one!
The crowd went crazy when much loved Jason Mraz hit the stage. He had all 16,000 dancing to his hit song I'm Yours while giant beach volleyballs surfed the crowd. His performance was an unforgettable end to We Day Vancouver.
I got to share some priceless moments at We Day Toronto with Wendy Huang-Miss Teen Alberta-World and Alicia Anne Angus-Miss Teen North Dundas-World. I think both of them had an unforgettable experience at We Day.
When it came time for me to speak in front of the crowd, I was overwhelmed with excitement. As Ben and I made our way through the crowd on the floor, Journey's Don't Stop Believing was blasting through the sound system. I couldn't help but dance and sing with the crowd. When I heard my voice over the speakers and heard 16,000 youth screaming for me, it was one of the greatest moments of my life. I made my way back to main stage area and was ambushed with screaming fans yelling my name from all directions wanting my picture, autograph and just VolumePills one high five. That experience was more than incredible and knowing I inspired youth to make a change made me want to spread all of these influential messages across Saskatchewan and maybe even Canada. Watch the short video of me at We Day!
The SURPRISE Guests- The crowd went wild when Nick, Joe and Kevin Jonas appeared on the screen and when the three brothers came out on stage the screams were glass breakable and there were tears shedding everywhere! They put on an acoustic perormance that had girls swooning and many boys maybe a little bit jealous. The Jonas Brothers were the greatest surprise guests anyone could ask for!
Robin Wiszowaty and Michel Chikwanine shared stories with us that they witnessed first hand. Robin, author of My MAASAI Life left her lovely home in the suburbs to live in the Savannahs of Kenya. She was forced to face issues she had never faced such as extreme poverty and drought, now Robin devotes her life to helping others.
Michel Chikwanine is a former child soldier who grew up amongst the great terror of the Great War of Africa and has overcome unimaginable pain and struggles. Today he is a Me to We Speaker and shares his stories to inspire and create change.
Girls were screaming and jumping up and down as 15 year old Justin Bieber sang his hit song, One Time. He is a genuinly nice kid who I would say, deserves his success.
When I saw the So You Think You Can Dance dancers backstage with previous winner Nico Archanbault, I couldn't help but walk over, talk to them and ask for a picture. SYTYCD is my favourite show! I think I was a little bit starstruck.:)
Paul Martin and Mike "Pinball" Clemons also got the crowd up on their feet. Paul Martin talked about the problems right here in Canada and Mike "Pinball" Clemons told us to find time everyday to, "pick someone's feet up off the ground." Inspirational is only one word to describe these nobel leaders.
Scott, Sam, Ray, and Dalmar from Degrassi showed us that statistics are much more than numbers by using the crowd as examples of who would never have the oppurtunity to go to school in Kenya. They spoke about how much WE are needed and that it all stars with one…… YOU!
To end off the We Day celebration in Toronto, Hedley performed their latest single Cha-Ching and their hit song Never Too Late. They really had the crowd going and no one wanted them to put an end to the performance. Jacob, Dave, Chris, and Tommy all have a shine in their eyes when they talk about their experience at We Day and how they feel about changing the world. I know this for a fact from talking with them backstage and at the We Day celebration party."Life is too short to live it just for yourself," says lead singer Jacob Hoggard. Hedley really is a proud Canadian band who love to help out right here at home. New Album out Nov. 17th-The Show Must Go
I am so honoured and thankful that I had the opportunity to attend both of these remarkable days. Thank you to Craig and Marc Kielburger and the entire Free The Children team who made We Day happen, it was an amazing day that will never be forgotten. I look forward to creating a positive change in the world and empowering youth to take action.
We Day changed my life and inspired me to make a change in my community and to spread the word that anything is possible. If you didn't have the oppurtunity to attend We Day watch it at CTV.ca.
I know all of YOU have the power to take initiative in your community and be a leader to positive change. So get out there, make a difference and BE THE CHANGE. I know you can do it!
First Step: 10 by 10
Siera:)
Check out more pics of me with my new celeb friends on my Flickr page and don't forget to follow me on Twitter to see what I am up to!