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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, February 25, 2010 · 12 The Ridge youths Get Hooked on community n By Bismah Haq GR. 12, IROQUOIS RIDGE H.S. s 2010 settles in, Iroquois Ridge High School (IRHS) hosted its second annual leadership conference. Organized by the Student Voice Committee at our A school, the Get Hooked! Conference took place yesterday. All Halton high schools and Grade 8 students were invited and the organizers expected about 400 students to be in attendance. By inspiring and opening the eyes of students who were fearful, confused or rather indifferent to joining the active student network, the conference ultimately offered a multitude of ways towards positively impacting their school, community and their own lives. The purpose of the conference was to provide these students with various methods to become a more active member of their school and community. A few methods offered included joining a club of their interest, expressing their voice artistically or musically, educating others on our community and the world, becoming adept at expressing ideas and opinions and volun- opening address by teering. By the end of the day, the organizers of the conference hoped that students learned there is no specific way to become an active member of a community. One can become more involved in their community through many ways. The conference was divided into three main topics: The Big Picture (Global Involvement), Get in the Zone (Athletics and Competition), Design Your World (Artistic Passions) with three workshops set up under each category. These three categories represented some of the main ways students can become more involved in the community and in their school. The day began with an keynote speaker, Susan Hay, a veteran news journalist with Global News for over 20 years, who is a spokesperson for Toronto's Ronald McDonald House, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada, REACH for the Rainbow and the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Ontario. Afterward, students attended the three workshops they chose for the day, from the following topics: The Big Picture, Get in the Zone and Design Your World. Workshop leaders included IRHS graduate, Rukshan De Silva, Amnesty International Oakville, IRHS Eco Schools, IRHS Debate Team, and competitive dancer Lady Noyz. Also hosting workshops were Elyse Simpson, Oakville Musician and Music Business Specialist and Brian Nugent, a professional football player, actor and spokesperson for the Mike Pinball Clemons Foundation and Esteem Canada. Brian Nugent also ended the conference at the closing assembly. The cost of the conference was $12 and all profits will be going towards helping the people of Haiti recover from the Sheila Copps at the Dinner Party Sheila Copps, former MP, cabinet minister and deputy prime minister, journalist and outspoken supporter of women's rights, will be the guest speaker at the annual Dinner Party to be held on Thursday, March 4. The annual event is sponsored by Women of Halton Action Movement (WHAM) and the Zonta Club of Oakville. It will include a dinner, cash bar, silent auction, sale of Afghan crafts, door prizes, 50-50 draw and entertainment. Proceeds from the event are split evenly between SAVIS (Sexual Abuse and Violence Intervention Services of Halton) and CSAW (Canadians in Support of Afghan Women). Tickets are available by contacting SAVIS at 905-825- 3622.