A group of 21 students from Hammond Elementary were among the 20,000 change-makers in attendance for the high-energy WE Day Vancouver at Rogers Arena on November 19.
WE Day events are held worldwide to celebrate “young people and educators who have made a difference” and inspire and empower youth to “be the drivers of social change.”
The WE Day Vancouver lineup of speakers and performers included former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, actor/dancer Lana Condor, storyteller/podcaster Jay Shetty, musician Serena Ryder, actor Bailee Madison, and Rick Hansen, champion of accessibility and inclusion.
Several Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District elementary and secondary schools participated in the event. 
Kyla Cameron, vice-principal of Hammond Elementary, attended WE Day with her students. “The presenters this year were phenomenal, our students had an amazing day and are so excited to bring their ideas back to our building,” she said.
So, how do schools get tickets for WE Day? Tickets are free, but you have to earn them by joining WE Schools and pledging to take action on local and global causes.
At Hammond, members of the school’s WE team meet regularly and have already organized a record-setting food drive, WE Scare Hunger. The students also have plans for several other fundraising events throughout the year.
“We commit to fundraise and choose goals that can help us make a difference. We do a year-end report and let [WE Schools] know what we have done each year,” explained Cameron.
Attending WE Day gives students the opportunity to celebrate their sustained action and get inspired to do more.
“Students get to connect and see how wonderful it is to give back. The motivation and inspiration that the students have after the event are wonderful,” Cameron added.
Shaayan, a Grade 7 student, was among the Hammond group that attended WE Day. “I liked the learning and the positive messages that were shared,” said Shaayan. “There is so much to learn and lots of positive messages. It motivates us to continue the leadership at school.”
Incredible performance by @serenaryder at #WEDayVancouver @WEMovement pic.twitter.com/iesSF1Y8n2
— Hammond Elem. SD42 (@HammondSD42) November 19, 2019