Foundation for Education Perth Huron

Since 1989 the Foundation has provided a wide variety of arts and life-based (diversity awareness, character building) workshops that bring unique experiences to local kids – exceptional hands-on tutorials with professionals that introduce students to richer ways of living and learning.

How does the Foundation fund this?

They annually host a big evening called the Gala Auction and stack it to the hilt with amazing items – anywhere from getaways to artwork, gift packages to sports tickets – all to make certain that 140 crucial arts and human diversity workshops continue to enhance over 5000 students in the Avon Maitland district throughout year.

The Gala Auction successfully took place on November 12 at the The Church Restaurant in Stratford.

The Foundation Board of Directors would like to extend a very warm thank you to all attendees for filling the night with a great ‘vibe’.

A huge thank you also to all businesses you offered items for the cause and to the following sponsors:
Dr. Dennis & Laurie Nuhn, Hoyes-Michelos & Associates, Goderich Print Shop, RBC Wealth Management, MicroAge Basics, BDO, D&D Automation, MNE Engineering IncorporatedJ.E. Gabel  Electric Plumbing & Heating , Geoff Williams, Smith-Peat Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd.

All proceeds will go directly into providing ART | LIFE workshops for local students.

The Foundation for Education Perth Huron recently brought two unique career events to students at the Above the Falls Challenge Course at the Falls Reserve Conservation Area in Benmiller.

Band of Brothers, a career and mentorship event, included dynamic men in various career sectors who voluntarily met with grade nine boys from GDCI, St. Anne’s and CHSS to discuss their work, passion and career path. The roster included Justin Peters (National Hockey League  – Carolina Hurricanes); Gary Renaud (paramedic); Sgt. Jamie Shewaga (Canadian Armed Forces); Michael McCourt (robotics engineer); Chris Patterson (Ontario Provincial Police); Terence Brandon (personal support worker); Nathan Marshall (Creative Supervisor  – CKNX Radio) and Davis Murphy (Royal Canadian Navy).

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Similarly, grade 9 & 10 girls from CHSS and GDCI met with inspiring women the next day at LaLoba.  LaLoba, meaning “she-wolf,” replaces the former Girls Unlimited which has been held in various locations across Huron and Perth over the last 6 years.  Designed to empower young women, this year’s mentors included Kristin Ban (pharmacist); Pip Penrose (chiropractor); Lisa Courtney (Environmental Planner); Brittany Fry (Special Events and Marketing Consultant); Monica Walker Bolton (Professional Planner & Co-ordinator of Huron Manufacturing Association); Leanne Wilhelm (O.P.P. Constable) and Debbie Davidson (Project Co-ordinator with the Four County Labour Market Planning Board’s Skills Opportunities Trailer).

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Opera recently came to Avon Maitland schools as the Aldeburgh Connection (a Toronto-based concert organization) presented workshops on behalf of the Foundation for Education.

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The 50-minute program (the final workshop for the year) featured pianists and artistic directors, STEPHEN RALLS and BRUCE UBUKATA, and four recent graduates of prestigious opera programs in Canadian universities – soprano REBECCA COLLETT, mezzo JULIA BARBER, tenor GRAHAM THOMSON and baritone GEOFFREY SIRETT.

The intention of the workshop was to introduce students to the world of opera and classical song and to show students something of what a career in that world might mean. They performed a varied program of music in various languages clearly explained and presented them in a lively way with some simple staging. The presentation ended with a question and answer session. “This is often one of the most enjoyable features of the event!”, claims co-director Bruce Ubukata

The singers: Continue reading →