Lakeshore Advance, 2013-04-03, Page 32 Lakeshore Advance • Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Saidat: Together we can change the world
Inspirational speaker
carries powerful message
to students, parents
Lynda Hillman-Rapley
Lakeshore Advance
"Together we can change the world," said
inspirational speaker Saidat, sometimes in
song, as she spent the day at Grand I4end
school encouraging respect, acceptance and
empathy.
Saidat inspires, motivates and empowers
individuals by her commitment to help
build a better community, one community
at a time. In the past eight years, she has
been to over 1300 schools and community
events. She has reached many people in
both Huron and Lambton schools. This
event was made possible through the Grand
Bend I tome and School Association.
On a weekly basis Saidat speaks to over
1,000 students with her dynamic assemblies
and full day presentations. She speaks to
children and adults covering subjects like
bullying, self-esteem, team building, coni -
passion, and friendships. She leads a very
strong message, from the heart, that "One
person can make a difference. Together we
can change the world!"
At last week's assembly Saidat first met
with Kindergarten -Grade 3 then Grade 4-8
and then the parents. Each program is
designed to address issues appropriate for
the age of the audience.
"Feel good about yourself," she told the
parents, "Because you cared enough to
come here tonight," she told the group of
parents. This 40 -year old mother of two, a
ten -year-old autistic sol) and a 13 -year-old
daughter has her hands full. She uses the
word "amazing" a lot.
Music, Movement and Motivation is a
program that was created to eliminate bully-
ing and help empower students, teaching
them about their inner strength and how
they can withstand any problems that come
their way. It inspires students to be the one
person that can affect change in their home,
school and world around them through
original songs, fun dance moves and high
energy interaction with the audience; high
energy presentations with student interac-
tion are what the show is all about! 'this pro-
gram teaches students how to build self-
esteem while dealing with the issues of
bullying, helping to enhance the message
that teachers are giving to their students
everyday: that they are part of the solution.
One parent said his daughter went home
announcing, "I like Inc.'
'through music, drama, dance and speak-
ing, the Music, Movement and Motivation
program brings a message to young people
Saidat asks the hard questions to parents Cathy Hurley, Ryan Gilmore and Cori Thompson.
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Lynda Hillman •Rap.y lako shof p Advance
Saidat, as super woman, explains
as difficult as it is for parents to
juggle life's struggles; the kids
are doing some difficult Juggling
too.
in a positive and uplifting atmosphere, while
encouraging students to put aside their differ-
ences and unite against the social issues that
face them every day. When Saidat speaks, she
makes sure her message is geared at parents
too, following the salve guidelines in their
lives.
Parent Amy Wiseman said," What a great
presentation! 1 never experienced bullying as
a child growing up. 1 had an incredible group
of friends that I ant still close with today. 1
cherish my true friendships.
I aving said that 1 have experienced being
bullied as an adult. This presentation reso-
nated deeply. You have to "let it go'; rise above
the ignorance of some people. When You do
that and forgive quickly, it is very freeing.
Keep smiling and doing the right thing and it
all works 001.'
On the staged area, with 1)I K/. at het side
Saidat has posters that say "I lave 1leart" and
"Stop.'l'hink.Speak" She talks about the
stresses of life and how to Juggle everything
we do, as a child and as an adult. She told the
parents to stop listening to "they said" "Who
are they?" she asked rhetorically.
Saidat talked to the parents about the day
session. As a parent of an autistic child she
Saidat with the kids.
knows personally about differences and sin'
worries about acceptance for her child.
"At Grand Bend school," she said, they Kt
about acceptance and empathy. As an exam-
ple she talked about "her new buddy taxon" a
kindergarten student with Down Syndrome.
"'!he students treat Iaxon like they would any
of their friends," she said adding, he ran with
her holding her hand and he proceeded to get
the IK -Grade 3's to do the Wave. "lie is an
amazing child," she said.
Parent Nicole Gunn said this presentation
was money was well spent. "Saidat delivered
a powerful message to the students and to the
parents. She is an inspiration to all of ns. If
one person can make it difference, it certainly
is her"
"Every person has their own unique talent.
styli' and personality that they can use to
stake changes in their world. I use my rap
ping, dancing and singing to talk about how
to do that,' Saidat says. "I start thinking about
skittles and how skittles have different Oa
yours in the package but together they stake a
great package"
'l'o learn mote about this presentation visit
http://www.saidnt.ca/