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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, April 24, 2015 | 24 Students shoot parody video for Earth Day What started as a class project at Oakville's Holy Trinity Secondary School has turned into a social media campaign to stop climate change. Chemistry teacher Heather Rutkowski and her class, in a joint initiative with the Oakville school's environmental club, run by teacher William Hoch and Grade 11 student Madison McNevitts, have produced a YouTube parody video of the Taylor Swift song Blank Space. Titled Revolution Music Video ­ Blank Space Earth Day Parody, the video calls on the Canadian government to make a more concerted effort toward saving the Earth's oceans. It was published Monday, ahead of the recognition of Earth Day Wednesday. The students, who had been working on the video since January, were inspired by the documentary Revolution by Rob Stewart, said McNevitts. "(It) discusses the importance of saving our oceans... (and) environmental dead zones in areas that were once flourishing and a push on policy makers and everyday people to make a change. They also mention shark finning -- millions of sharks die each year, but are neces- In the Arts... Autism Awareness Variety Show Project Autism is putting on its third annual Autism Awareness Variety Show Sunday (April 26). The grassroots initiative focuses on changing the perception and improving the lives of those affected by all disabilities. The variety show takes place at the OE Banquet and Conference Centre, 2245 Speers Rd., in Oakville from 1-4:30 p.m. Visit www.projectautism.ca for more information. In this screenshot of a YouTube parody video produced by Holy Trinity school students for Earth Day, a shark reacts to a polluted ocean (a recycling box), as a parodied Prime Minister Stephen Harper sits off to the left. | screenshot of YouTube video sary for ocean survival," she said. "It was done as a way to inspire kids to make a difference, but also raise awareness of issues that our world is facing." The music video sees students singing about the negative impacts of climate change and spreading their message to other students and staff in their high school -- and even to a parodied Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The students decided to take the initial class project and turn into a video to post on YouTube as a way to ensure their message of environmental protection would spread beyond their school's hallways. "The power of social media is immense," said McNevitts. "If we use social media as a tool, we can reach people beyond our community and beyond Oakville in order to work together. By reaching beyond that, we can use it as a way to reach our goal: get everyone working together to stop climate change and stop harming the environment." Pairing a violin and organ at COTA The 24th season of St. Jude's Celebration of the Arts closes with a concert Saturday (April 25). The Spring Serenade will see former Toronto Symphony Orchestra concertmaster Jacques Israelievitch join Oakville Chamber Orchestra and Masterworks of Oakville artistic director Charles Demuynck for a concert of baroque music featuring works by J.S. Bach, Pachelbel and Vivaldi. The concert starts at 8 p.m. at St. Jude's Church, 160 William St. Tickets cost $30 and are available at www.oakvilleconcerts.com or by calling 905-844-3972. Sheridan students' screenings The 2015 Sheridan College Student Screenings continue with works of third-year Media Arts students being shown Wednesday (April 29) at Film.ca Cinemas, 171 Speers Rd. The works of first-year Bachelor of Film and Television and second-year Media Arts students were screened earlier on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and screenings begin at 7 p.m. Admission costs $5 with proceeds going towards fundraising for the students' year-end award show at the TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto on Thursday, May 14. Nursing art competition The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) Halton Chapter is calling on all school children in the region to enter its Nursing Art Competition and express through art what nursing means to them. Entries must be scanned and emailed to RNAO.haltonchapter@ gmail.com by next Friday (May 1). For more details, visit http:// chapters.rnao.ca/halton/node/1808. CHORUS & QUARTETS PROUDLY PRESENT FOR YOU 905-829-1040 www.bombaybhelrestaurant.com Indian Cuisine 2525 Hampshire Gate, Oakville, L6H 6C8 WITH SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMERS Open Your Home & Hearts to a Student From Spain This Summer AND OUR MC FOR THE EVENING ­ HOST FAMILIES NEEDED! 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