Celebrating Diversity at Selkirk College Student-Led Event
By Kirsten Hildebrand
At an annual event held at Selkirk College, students are welcoming the community to join them for a celebration that addresses some big topics, the elephant in the room.
The Education Assistant & Community Support Worker (EACSW) Program students are hosting a free afternoon event March 25 at the Selkirk College Castlegar Campus from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
The public is invited to join in the fun. Entertainment will include music, dancing, cake, a graffiti wall, crafts corner, food, face painting, human library, live performances, and so much more.
EACSW students have been hosting this event for over a decade as part of their planning class, welcoming approximately 200 people each year.
“For the last 12 years, folks from around the Kootenay Boundary have been coming together to authentically celebrate diversity,” says EACSW Instructor Jane Green. “Our students work tirelessly to create a welcoming party, and it’s always a lot of fun – music, cake, great activities and perhaps most importantly, a chance to connect and understand how much we have in common. When we shift from judgment to curiosity, we discover treasure buried in all of us. This annual event allows for that treasure to be showcased and celebrated!”
This year’s theme addresses the elephant in the room, symbolizing the difficult, big topics that society avoids discussing. Year after year, this event provides a safe space where everyone can come together and celebrate inclusion and diversity.
Says Hannah, “I am a student at Selkirk College and I am autistic. I am studying with hopes of one day becoming an education assistant. I have attended the Selkirk College’s diversity event before and it is always lots of fun. This year I am super excited to be one of the performers, I will be singing a song called Angel of the Stars by Nina Zeitlin, which think will fit perfectly with the theme of this year’s event.”
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