Up and At Em’ on Thursday
Thursday September 29
(Submitted by: Sun West Delegates)
This morning’s cultural moment consisted of a performance by a Miq-Maq drum circle. The ladies in the circle sang and drummed traditional songs, encouraging audience participation. The morning’s opening keynote was ex NHL great Ryan Walter. Walter talked about the attitude that leadership requires, and how to train your mind to achieve great things. Walter left the impression with his audience that your true personality is the one that is present when no one is watching, and that the people who achieve true greatness are the people who do good things even when nobody is there to see or recognize it.
After a breakout session, lunch, time with spirit groups, and another great band, the second keynote presenter of the day took the stage. Herbie Kuhn had the air of an evangelical preacher, and filled the massive stadium with his personality. Kuhn has been the main voice of the Toronto Raptors since the team began. Kuhn talked about the journey of perseverance that led him to his job, and challenged the audience to never take no for an answer in the pursuit of our dreams. Kuhn had the audience on their feet multiple times during his high energy presentation.
After another breakout session and supper, youth speakers and good friends Ian Tyson and Stu Saunders took the stage, each doing a preview of their keynote presentation for the delegates. Each man talked about the power of human communication in our schools. They reminded delegates that leadership is not only about planning dances and spirit days, but its also about making connections with people, and how a little communication could change someone’s day, or even their life. The final entertainment of the day was hypnotist Ian Stewart, who had audience members as the main acts of his entertaining and hilarious stage show.
Time to call it a night. Yes by’ we truly are ‘having a time’ on the Rock!
