We Day 2009 (sorry it's so long!!)

October 5th, 2009, a day I will never forget. I woke up at 5:00 a.m., delighted, tired ( I couldn't sleep the night before) and excited (that's why). I had waited for this day for at least a year. Last year, I was blown away by this inspirational convention: the Me to We Day. This year was just as great. I got to school at 6:30 with my friend Tina (yes, we carpool together-go green!). Although 30 students from SAM sat in the 'lobby' of the school as quiet as a mouse (waiting for the bus), I knew that in all of our minds, we were VERY excited.

It took about 1 hour (it seemed like 15 mins., mostly because I was sleeping -teehee) to get to the Air Canada Centre in Downtown. The bus didn't directly drop us off at the ACC (Air Canada Centre) entrance. We had to walk a LITTLE while to get there. Along the way, many enthusiastic volunteers from We Day were cheering us on and giving us directions. Finally, when the group arrived in the ACC, the main lobby was PACKED with people screaming and shouting. Other people such as the volunteers were walking around with clipboards asking people to write their name down on a ballot. The ballot was going to be put in a draw. Whoever's name (I REALLY REALLY wished it was me) that was pulled out, got a chance to go backstage afterwards and meet the special people who made Me To We possible (*you also get to meet with the SPECIAL guests) After waiting a little while, everyone was inside and seated.

The ACC's atmosphere in the huge room was really REALLY heart-pumping. It was filled with people singing and dancing to the songs that were being played and people waving to the TV cameras. As soon as the hosts of We Day came out, the whole crowd went roaring with cheers and applause. Just think of what the room looked and sounded like when Marc and Craig Keilburer came out! Hours passed really quickly (it seemed like only a 1 hour...time flies when you're having fun). Soon, it was time for a 45min. lunch break. To avoid chaos in the hallways, we stayed put in our seats and ate there. Later, when I was looking through my space-wasting videos, I suddenly remembered that my friends from my FORMER school should be here. With two pairs of sharp eyes (Tina et moi, Tina had the keener eye), we found them. We found our childhood friends sitting on the other side of the room. Quickly, (After asking Ms.Ma of course) Tina and I sprinted as fast as we can (it took quite a while because of all the people) to reunited with our Kennedy Public School Friends. After a short 'Hey! I can't believe you're here! This is soo much fun!!' moment, we dashed back to our original seats to continue on with We Day.

Many inspirational people came out to present their speech. People such as Elie Wisel, Robert F. Kennedy, Mia Farrow, Spencer West, Jessi Cruickshank and many more came to talk about their experiences. Although all of their speeches were motivating and inspirational, many of them seemed to have the same message: You are the generation to make change. Of course, what is a Me To We gathering without celebrity guests! The Jonas Brothers, Hedley, Justin Bieber and Louise Kent gave outstanding performances (we had to leave before we could see Hedley perform..D=). Of course, when all these celebrity guests came out, the whole room was BOOMING loud. I don't think I have ever heard such a LOUD group. Ever. EVERYONE was singing and dancing to their songs. Many more touching speeches were given.

However, sadly, the SAM participants had to leave early to catch the bus and avoid rush hour traffic (traffic, main reason). Unwillingly, we dragged ourselves out of the room and headed outside. No one could stop talking about what they have just heard and saw. Now, everyone that went to We Day notices what big of an idea child poverty is. I hope many more people will have a chance to participate in We Day 2010 next year. It will REALLY change your perspective. Trust me.

P.S. In case you were wondering, I wasn't lucky enough to get picked to go backstage....sadly.

(That's how many people. See me?=D )---->>