On November 18, St. Anne, Sarnia buzzed with energy as over 100 students from across St. Clair Catholic, along with their teachers, came together for the highly anticipated Youth Empowerment Summit. Supported by a grant from the Catholic Education Foundation of Ontario’s Michael Carty Award, the event focused on wellness, leadership, and community building.
The day began with an uplifting opening session that included a land acknowledgment, prayer, and an energizing introduction to set the tone for the summit. Principal Stephanie Orrange reflected on the exciting atmosphere: “The turnout today has been incredible. Seeing students and staff come together with such enthusiasm and a shared commitment to wellness, leadership and community building”
Throughout the day, participants attended breakout sessions that explored key aspects of wellness and empowerment. Students learned practical self-love strategies, experienced the calming effects of yoga and mindfulness, and engaged with local artist, Neva to explore art and engage with the medicine wheel to learn how to take care of themselves mentally, spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Lambton Public Health provided valuable insights into wellness education, while other workshops delved into healthy relationships, self-care, and the power of prayer. The sessions inspired students to think critically about how they can make positive changes within their lives and school communities.
“Events like this are vital for fostering wellness and strengthening community across our St. Clair Catholic system,” said Scott Johnson, Director of Education. “When students feel supported and empowered, they not only succeed in school but grow into confident, compassionate leaders.”
Lunch and breaks allowed time for students and staff to connect and reflect on what they were learning, with generous support from community partners such as Real Canadian Superstore and Kernels, Planet Fitness, Metro, Noelle’s Gift to Children, and the Sarnia-Lambton YMCA.
The event concluded with a heartfelt closing ceremony, where organizers expressed their gratitude to everyone who participated. Prizes were distributed, and students left with a shared commitment to bringing the lessons of the summit back to their schools.
The Youth Empowerment Summit was a testament to St. Clair Catholic’s dedication to nurturing leadership, wellness, and social justice in its students. Its impact will undoubtedly ripple across the district in the weeks and months ahead.
