Photo Credit: Herald & News Photo
Keynote Speakers
We are thrilled about our 2018 Youth Summit line up of moving and motivational speakers and presentations.
Check out the details in our Youth Summit Activity Guide by clicking here.
Drop It And Drive® Youth Presentation
International road safety speakers, Karen Bowman and Inspector Mark Andrews (retired) provide students with the science of ‘how and why’ distracted driving, and distracted walking, is risky behaviour. Using science combined with a reality-based approach, they will discuss the real consequences of a moment’s distraction through the sharing of personal stories.
Students will have the opportunity to participate in interactive exercises to experience the effects of distraction and learn about practical strategies and tools to minimize distractions behind the wheel.
At the end of each seminar students will feel empowered by increased knowledge and understanding to be road safety ambassadors within their families, schools and communities.
Heidi Cave: Reckless Driving & Speeding
In 1998 I was an active young woman looking forward to all the possibilities life had to offer. That all changed when my car was struck by a reckless driver going more than 100km/hr (60 mph). The car crash resulted in a battle for my life that would involve two weeks in a coma, seven months in the BCPFF Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit at Vancouver General Hospital and an additional five months in rehabilitation.
What should have been the darkest chapter of my life became a bright testament to the strength of the human spirit. I am now a wife, mother, and motivational speaker. The tragedy of the accident has been turned into a life message of hope. I know the power of love and courage, and how to impart it to others. I have had the privilege to speak in front of thousand of individuals to give them fresh hope, and lead them to believe that anything is possible
Aric Jackson: Motivational Leadership For Youth
A charismatic and genuinely heartfelt communicator, Aric truly electrifies an audience. Selected as "Best New Speaker" in 2000 by the Chicago Chapter of the International Speech Organization, Toastmasters, this recognition made him realize how much he wanted to pursue this and how much a void needed to be filled with students, youth, and grownups across America.
It takes a genuine speaker to present information with shared experience, passion to research a topic much deeper, and to share that information with the audience using skills that will make it a memorable and exciting experience for all.
Aric has he served as the Keynote Speaker for such organizations as Future Business Leaders of America, Health Occupation Students Association, DECA,FCCLA, National Association of Secondary School Principals LEAD Conferences, and many Statewide Student Council Conferences across the country, plus his message has been televised in over 65 countries.
Mike Pearse: Empowering Youth For Positive Change
Mike Pearse is currently co-owner/Managing Director of Camp Tawingo in Huntsville, Ontario. Camp Tawingo welcomes 1400 campers each summer for an Overnight Camping experience, as well as 400 day campers, and 160 staff. It has been in existence for 57 years. From 1999 – 2001, Mike was the Principal of Tawingo College – a private, elementary, day school set on the grounds of Camp Tawingo. From 1989 to 1999, he was a Faculty Member at Oakridge Secondary School in London, Ontario teaching English, Drama, History, and Society: Challenge and Change. Mike graduated from the University of Western Ontario with the Gold Medal in Psychology and the Chancellor’s Prize for the highest graduating average in the Faculty of Social Sciences. He earned his Bachelor of Education degree from Althouse Teachers’ College, where he won the J.W. Bowden Memorial Award for academic and teaching excellence. While at Oakridge S.S., Mike received the first-ever graduating students’ award for teaching excellence as well as the city-wide Bishop Townsend Award for teaching excellence. He coached the school Hockey and Senior Boys’ Soccer Teams and was the advisor to the Students’ Council, the 30 Hour Famine, Grade Nine Welcome Week, and the Oakridge Leadership Conference.
Mike has been a Motivational Speaker and Workshop leader since 1988 and has presented at high schools, universities, and conferences the world over. His message is simple: live each day so that at the end of it you can say that you have made a positive difference in the life of another and therefore in your own life, too. Mike is married to Tia, co-owner of Tawingo, and together they have three great kids – Christopher, Tyler, and Carson - all of whom contribute significantly to the Tawingo summer program.
Kevin Brooks: www.KevinBrooks.ca
Kevin Brooks is a leading youth speaker on suicide prevention, overcoming obstacles and impaired driving. He is living proof that one poor choice can change one’s life forever, or even end it.
From his wheelchair, Kevin tells the story of the night that changed his life forever… Kevin left a party, driving at excessive speeds after a night of drinking. He was not alone. Beside him sat his passenger and childhood friend Brendan. The result — a horrific crash. Brendan didn’t walk away from the crash. Neither did Kevin.
Weed Out The Risk: Drugs & Driving (A New Classroom Educational Tool)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os3qQREvBBI
Weed Out the Risk (WOTR) is an interactive, harm reduction program which introduces young people to the risks associated with using marijuana and driving. The goal of the program is to engage youth in a wide ranging discussion through a series of educational games, activities and videos. This includes the effects of using weed, the basic principles of impairment and how these translate to driving, thereby challenging the misconceptions around marijuana impaired driving. The session will demo the WOTR program and advise participants of the potential availability of the program for their students/community.
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Have an understanding of how youth view a significant difference between impairment from alcohol vs. marijuana.
• Have an understanding of the risks and prevalence of youth choosing to drive high or be a passenger in a high drivers vehicle.
• Knowledge of the WOTR program and potential availability in their school.
Teens Learn To Drive:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saZzQjKWyfk
Teens Learn To Drive Inc. is dedicated to preventing death and injury among teens and young drivers through education. They believe that with better information, teens can make better driving decisions. They achieve this through interactive events, newsletters, and other outreach projects. As well, they make available videos, PSAs and other tools that schools can use to reinforce good driving habits and change driving culture.
Teens Learn To Drive feel that their message is best communicated through interactive experience. Their events give them the opportunity to present crucial information in a way that will not be soon forgotten. Whether presenting to parents or teens, or having teens present to each other, their message remains one of safety and responsibility above all else. Their variety of events allow them to tailor the experience to each community and audience. Teens Learn To Drive is offered free of charge thanks to CAA and other sponsors.
Find out more at: http://teenslearntodrive.com
MADD Canada’s 2018-2019 School Assembly Program “No Tomorrow”:
Find out all about what madd Canada is doing to help raise awareness in our nation's schools.
Find out more at: http://www.madd.ca