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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 9, 2015 | 32 Students learn they have the power to make change in the lives of others continued from p.30 in his research in that there is little information released from North Korea. "Because there's no information," he says, "I'm just treating it that they have the burden of proof." His impassioned speech on the plight of his country's people has also earned him a surprise supporter. "It's not necessarily siding with a country, but the resolution I agree with," says Nelson High School student Julia Ashley-Smith, a newcomer to Model UN who is acting as the representative of India, which provides food aid to North Korea. Evidence of the students' research and enthusiasm is welcomed by River Sommerhalder, who is chairing the human rights discussion. "I think it's great that students care about what's going on and want to talk about world issues," the Iroquois Ridge student said. The day's events, co-hosted by Loyola and Iroquois Ridge for the second time, began with the 75 students from seven Halton high schools gathering to hear keynote speaker Christal Earle, the co-founder of Live Different. The organization encourages people to make a difference in the lives of others through youth empowerment presentations, humanitarian build programs, and leadership development. Earle told the story of two events that dramatically changed her life: the death of her brother and a vacation to the Dominican Republic in 2004. She said her brother's death in an industrial accident got her thinking about what she could do to affect change. On her vacation, she said she grew tired of watching drunken people dancing by the pool, so she emailed a friend who was doing humanitarian work in the country. It turned out she was working in a nearby village. Earle said the contrast between the resort and the poverty in the village was shocking. "You start seeing yourself in other people. Those hopes and dreams that you have, those same hopes and dreams are in other people," she said. "You realize the power of your life to make change and you're the one who gets to decide what the best version of you is going to be." Five years after that initial trip, Earle adopted a Dominican daughter whose mother had died. Earle said high school students might not feel they have the ability to make change, but pointed to the example of the 16-year-olds who participate in Live Different projects and have become her nine-year-old daughter's role models. "Other people are watching you," she told the students. "Your life can have incredible resonance on lives now." at 1/2 price This exceptional OFFER doesn't come around very often... SO DON'T MISS OUT! Buy 1 get the 2nd From April 9­12, 2015 REGAL® Select is our trusted premium brand that delivers outstanding durability. And now, with the 2nd 3.79L at 1/2 price, it's the perfect time to spruce up your decor! Visit us today The Painters Place 478 Dundas Street West, Unit 4, Oakville, ON 905.257.2061 Buy one 3.79L container at regular retail price and get the 2nd 3.79L at half price. Offer valid on following REGAL® Select products : K547, K549, K550, K551, K552, K400, K401 & K402. Qualifying purchases must be made in one (1) single transaction. Discount applied at checkout. Offer available from 4/09 to 4/12 and cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions, or applied toward prior purchases. Expires 4/12/15. At participating retailers only, while supplies last. Details in store. ©2015 Benjamin Moore & Co., Limited. Benjamin Moore, REGAL and the triangle "M" symbol are registered trademarks