We Day

By: Laura R.

'We Day' in Calgary

One crucial quality that some believe is lacking in many of today's youth is a certain motivational drive. This consists of the drive to do the dishes when their moms repeatedly ask them, the drive to finish their homework when their teachers emphasise the importance of deadlines, and lastly, the drive to make a tangible difference in our society. This is mostly because they have this perception that youth are incapable of making an impact in society. After all, how much change can one kid make? Well, the good news is, this lack of inspiration is fixable; We Day, an organization aiming to inspire and motivate youth to get involved locally and globally, has proven to change this self-doubt into confidence, by gathering more than 18, 000 youth into one stadium. With star-studded dance, light, and music performances (do Justin Bieber or Hedley ring a bell?), two upbeat hosts, and famous motivational speakers that in the past have included Jane Goodall, the honourable 14th Dalai Lama, and Larry King, young people are engaged and excited throughout the whole five hours. The short five hours are only a pittance of time to educate, motivate, and finally create a lasting legacy of charitable values in youth. You may even be muttering to yourself in disbelief, that "Nobody could change that drastically in a couple hours!" but testimonials speak for themselves.

A member of Western's Interact club, Chloe A. described We Day as "inspiring”. “I definitely feel motivated to go out in my community and help out,” she said, “It doesn't matter what I am doing, I just want to know that I am making a difference." All the attendees of We Day feel changes in their mindsets; they leave the stadium (in Calgary it was held at the Saddledome) with a new attribute: the motivational drive.

A notable speaker was the extraordinarily driven Liz Murray. She grew up in the Bronx, and at age fifteen was left orphaned and homeless by her parents who were addicted to drugs and infected with HIV. Even with all odds against her, she not only got through high school, but also earned a full scholarship to Harvard. She is currently a New York Times bestselling author and the founder/director of Manifest Living, a company based around helping those who want to achieve success and complete their life goals. Even Oprah has recognized her achievements, awarding her a Chutzpah award in 2004, meaning that Liz was publicly admired for being audacious and confident. The fact that someone who had to struggle through her early life can even get recognition by one such as Oprah is proof that no matter where you start, it is possible to make a markable difference in your community.

As helpful, exciting, kind-hearted and beneficial as We Day is, one does not have to attend in order to perform something selfless. I encourage you, to take a walk around our hallways and simply choose to do a little something remarkable. Maybe it's picking up a piece of neglected trash or holding the door for someone, or even giving somebody the right of way on those ridiculously overcrowded stairwells - or perhaps, you have your sights set on something bigger, such as charity work. But whatever the deed, big or small, we need more generous, driven people like you in order to prepare for the future. Youth are the next generation and yes, you have the ability to make a difference.