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Special Olympics athlete appearing on CTV's The Listener by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Artscene 25 | Friday, July 18, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" When Kevin James heard about the chance to try his hand at acting, he jumped at the opportunity. The Special Olympics Oakville SkyWalkers basketball player and Burlington resident was among two dozen Special Olympics athletes across Canada who submitted an audition tape earlier this year, and was one of the lucky few to receive a speaking role. James, 33, will be appearing on the July 21 episode of Canadian science fiction drama The Listener, which airs on CTV at 9 p.m. He'll be playing a Special Olympics athlete who plays on a basketball team. While the role isn't a far stretch from what he does in his spare time, James, who has played basketball with the Oakville SkyWalkers for the last 10 seasons and also plays softball with the Oakville Sluggers, said it was a great opportunity. "It was very fun, everyone was nice and it was a really nice cast and nice director," he said. "It was a good experience. I hope they ask me back for the next season." His mother, Terry James, said their family Director Don McCutcheon rehearses with Special Olympics athlete Kevin James on the set of The Listener in Toronto on March 11. The episode airs Monday, July 21 at 9 p.m. | photo courtesy of CTV wasn't at all surprised to hear he had landed the acting gig. "Kevin is a very social, able young man," she said, noting how her son has always loved pretending and acting, especially while growing up, but never had the opportunity to show that side of him. Terry added their family is extremely proud of what he's been able to accomplish. "He really works hard," she said, noting how he puts his all into everything he does. "If something more comes out of this experience, Kevin would be right in his element." James also filmed a public service an- nouncement, which will air during a commercial break on Monday's episode of the The Listener. Special Olympics CEO Sharon Bollenbach said James was the right fit for the role because of his ability to convey the impact that the Special Olympics has had on his and his family's life. "He's very passionate about his involvement with the Special Olympics," she said. "I think that's something that's so important for us as a movement," Bollenbach continued. "While we're about delivering quality sport opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability, that transformative power of sport goes well beyond the field of play and I think Kevin's involvement in this episode of The Listener is an amazing example of that." Bollenbach added she hopes people will watch the episode and see more of an "inclusive society." "Sports are very powerful and, for us and for our athletes in the Special Olympics, it's about healthier lifestyle, it's about learning sports skills and being able to compete and be active in sport," she said. "It's also about instilling confidence and building self-esteem. What we hope the show represents and highlights is our athletes' ability, both on field as well as off." Miss Teenage Halton vies for national title by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff M A K I N G M U S I C Taking part in the next Miss Teenage Canada competition this weekend is about more than just earning a tiara and sash for Katie Dennis. The 16-year-old Oakville Trafalgar High School student, who was crowned Miss Teenage Halton earlier this year, said she wants to spread the message of feeling good about yourself and overcoming the hurdles that may stand in your way. "I am recovering from an eating disorder and I suffer from depression so it's been hard going through high school," said Dennis, who'll be starting Grade 11 in the fall. "I met some friends who have also experienced the same thing. It's not an easy thing to deal with, especially in high school because girls don't understand and they don't know (much about) mental illness. They think it's a choice or someone trying to fit in or get attention when it's the complete opposite. You don't choose it, it's something you're most likely born with." Dennis said she's hoping to normalize the discussion about mental Miss Teenage Halton Katie Dennis walks the catwalk during a fashion show last month sponsored by Tocca and The ShOwroom at her fundraising event hosted at iGita Hot Yoga Studio in support of Free The Children.| photo by Franki Ikeman ­ Oakville Beaver health and let others know "they're not alone." She said many people with mental health issues feel alienated and are afraid to open up and talk about it. Dennis will be competing against more than 70 contestants from across Canada for the Miss Teenage Canada title tomorrow (July 19) in Toronto. It will be her second time competing on stage after she was crowned Miss Teenage Halton in January, when she competed against more than 40 contestants for one of 10 titles. Although she said she's nervous, she's also excited about the opportunity to share her message to a wider audience. She said taking part in the competitions has allowed her to feel more confident and meet new friends. The Miss Teenage Canada competition, which promotes beauty in all aspects, will have personal interview, evening gown, swimwear, charitable contribution, public speaking and community engagement segments before a young woman will be chosen to be an ambassador of Canada, promoting charities and non-profit organizations. The Guitar Workshop Plus is hosting its annual summer program at Oakville's Appleby College this week, featuring renowned musicians as teachers. The second session begins next week from July 20-25. Above, a blues performance workshop group practises in the auditorium. To the right, guest musician Dave LaRue teaches a class. For more about the music program, visit www.guitarworkshopplus.com. | photos by Eric Riehl ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www. facebook.com/HaltonPhotog)