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Aquinas takes positive message to the street By Dominik Kurek OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF The teenagers have, in droves, found their way to the Dorval Drive high school parking lot and mucked it up. There's good news though. The graffiti left behind was done to help spread a message of positivity. And the sidewalk chalk will wash off. Students at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School took time during their lunch breaks Monday to visit the school's back parking lot to draw and write positive messages. The annual event is called the Positive Graffiti Project. Among the participants was Grade 11 student Alex Florent who got involved as a member of the school's Chaplaincy Team. "We're just trying to get everyone enthusiastic to come out here," she said. Using chalk, she wrote one of her own poems, titled Simple. The poem is about differences in people, but speaks to the fact that regardless of differences, everyone should love who they are, as they are unique. "It's one of my favourites. I wrote it a while back when I was in English class. I have many, but this is my favourite. It's one I keep on my phone a lot," she said. The event, held Monday, is the second one for Aquinas. The first was a year ago. It was organized by Aquinas graduate Veronica White, the founder of the AVM Research & Awareness Foundation. "It's part of a larger initiative I started called the Positivity Project. It's basically a recognition that the community, as a whole, generally frowns too much and we need more people spreading positivity," said White. "This is us getting a tangible, positive message out to the public." White was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) at the age of 11. AVM is a malformation of blood vessels that are weakened and susceptible to bleeding. The condition can result in stroke, paralysis or death. "I've had two strokes and I'm still going strong. I fundraise to get research done to hopefully find a better cure, better treatments, maybe even a prevention," White said. See Outlook page 10 9 · Wednesday, September 26, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com PHOTOS BY ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER / @halton_photog on the ground: Students at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School will be spreading positivity through graffiti. Teaming up with AVM Research & Awareness Foundation at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, students will spend their lunch break hours in their school's parking lot making a mural of positivity using sidewalk chalk.Above,Alex Florent writes a poem.At left, top,Vanessa Silano, Laura Wirkowski and Julia Silano take a break; a message of hope on display (middle), and Jason Camara draws (bottom). Manmeet (Min) Parhar Barrister, Solicitor & Notary Real Estate Closings Refinancing Family Law Immigration Wills & Power of Attorney Call Today for a Written Quote! (905) 491-6960 (905) 680-7484 www.parharlawoffice.com "Doing What's Best for you"