By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
During the recent holiday season, Belle River District High School (BRDHS) hosted several exciting events, including the Holiday Trolley Show and the Hack the Holidays initiative, both of which brought joy and made a positive impact.
Holiday Trolley Show
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, arts students, including those in drama, dance, and music, visited local elementary schools to perform. The Holiday Trolley tradition, which began in 2017, continues to delight audiences.
“My favourite part about the Holiday Trolley is definitely seeing how happy and excited the little ones were to see us doing what we love to do,” said Juliet Lewsaw, a participant in the show.
“I learned on this trip that you can create new bonds with people who have different interests than you. They could be from the dance team, the band, or the drama students who performed.”
Lewsaw and approximately 40 of her peers performed at Lakeshore Discovery, Belle River Public, and Centennial Central schools, keeping the festive spirit alive.
“The Holiday Trolley is a yearly tradition at BRDHS, and it’s one of the many reasons I love the arts so much,” said fellow student Owen Labine.
The Holiday Trolley Show has been inspiring audiences for seven years, and organizers hope it will continue for many more.
Hack the Holidays
On Nov. 25, students in Ms. St. Pierre’s computer engineering technology class, along with volunteers, participated in the Hack the Holidays Adapt-It workshop. The initiative aimed to modify toys for children with physical limitations at the John McGivney Children’s Centre (JMCC).
Students and volunteers worked on adapting toys by soldering, sewing, and rewiring them to make them more accessible. For children with limited fine motor skills, traditional on-off switches and small buttons can be challenging to use. By adding larger buttons, the toys became more user-friendly.
“I used the skills I learned in school to adapt a lava lamp for a child,” said Anne O’Neil, a Grade 11 student. “The teachers were very helpful, and I love the chance to participate again next year.”
During the workshop, Kelsey Smith, educational coordinator at the John McGivney Children’s Centre School Authority, demonstrated new technology designed to assist individuals with disabilities. One highlight was the brain-computer interface (BCI), a direct communication link between the brain’s electrical activity and an electronic device.
In one demonstration, a student controlled a YouTube video, pausing and unpausing it using only their mind. The BCI also enabled hands-free control of a toy dog.
The workshop provided a hands-on learning opportunity for students while supporting an important cause. It was a meaningful and rewarding experience for everyone involved.
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