By: Arthur Forrest, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Belle River District High School (BRDHS) students have been busy spreading holiday cheer through festive initiatives, including the Holiday Trolley Show and Hack the Holidays workshop.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, arts students from BRDHS, including those in drama, dance, and music programs, visited surrounding grade schools to perform their annual Holiday Trolley Show. This long-standing tradition, which began in 2017, brought joy to students and performers alike.
“My favourite part of the Holiday Trolley is definitely seeing how happy and excited the little ones were to see us doing what we love,” said participant Juliet Lewsaw.
Approximately 40 students performed at Lakeshore Discovery, Belle River Public, and Centennial Central schools. Lewsaw noted the event also helped create bonds among students across different disciplines, such as dance, band, and drama.
“The Holiday Trolley is a yearly tradition at BRDHS, and it’s one of the many reasons I love the arts so much,” added fellow participant Owen Labine.
The Holiday Trolley has become an inspiring and fun tradition at BRDHS, with many students and teachers hoping it will continue for years to come.
On Nov. 25, students in Ms. St. Pierre’s Computer Engineering Technology class participated in the Hack the Holidays Adapt-It workshop, alongside volunteers. The goal of the workshop was to modify toys for children with physical disabilities, creating accessible options for the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC).
Students rewired, soldered, and adapted toys to include larger buttons, making them easier for children with limited fine motor skills to use.
“I was using the skills I learned in school to adapt a lava lamp for a child. The teachers were very helpful, and I’d love the chance to participate again next year,” said Grade 11 student Anne O’Neil.
The event also featured a demonstration by Kelsey Smith, educational coordinator at JMCC, who showcased a brain-computer interface (BCI). This device connects the brain’s electrical activity with electronic devices, such as a computer. During the demonstration, a student controlled a toy dog and paused and unpaused a YouTube video entirely hands-free.
The workshop was a valuable hands-on learning experience that combined technology and creativity for a meaningful cause.
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