In Surrey on Saturday, Feb. 10, a daylong conference aims to inform, educate and inspire high school-aged girls to explore their dreams and discover their potential.
Registration is free for the “Dream It, Be It” event, with a capacity of around 100 young women, transgender and non-binary youth aged 15 to 19.
Soroptimist International groups in Surrey/Delta and White Rock are partnering to plan the career/resource fair at the KPU Surrey campus (12666 72 Ave., Newton), in the Spruce Atrium from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“The event has sold-out in the past,” noted Kathie Alary, event planner.
“We can’t take more than around 100 girls, and we’re about halfway there now,” she said Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Event registration is done on soroptimistwhiterock.ca/supporting/dream-it-be-it, where the names of guest speakers, workshops and activities are posted. Lunch is provided along with swag, and door prizes include $1,000 tuition at KPU.
“Don’t miss out on this incredible event that will ignite your imagination and empower you to dream big,” the website raves.
There will be workshops with women from various walks of life sharing their stories and speaking of topics of interest to the attendees. The career and resource fair allows time for the girls to speak individually with the career women and learn more about resources, educational opportunities and volunteer experiences available in the community.
Emcees are Rochelle Thomas (professor, University Canada West) and Michele Partridge (confidence coach, White Rock city councillor). The keynote speaker is Dr. Leeann Waddington (associate VP of teaching and learning, KPU), who will share her stories of motivation, challenges and successes.
One of the youngest conference guests will be Lily Harper, founder of Lily Lou’s Aromas, a business launched as a homeschooling project during the pandemic with the help of her parents, Chloe and Sergio.
“Lily attended last year and had a table there, to show that you can start following your dreams at a young age,” Alary explained. “She’s a mentor, and quite a remarkable girl.”
The long list of “Dream It, Be It” conference guests also includes Elenore Sturko (MLA in South Surrey), Jessica Bannister (HVAC apprentice), JoAnne Marlow (KPU prof, career coach), Monica Rudd (lawyer), Trina Prince (Office of Equity and Inclusive Communities, KPU), Shea Chorney (lawyer), Sharon Greysen (realtor), Dr. Balbir Gurm (nursing faculty at KPU, NEVR facilitator), Shanna Knights (retired chemical engineer), Alex Anderson (youth program manager), Michelle Anderson (school teacher), Jas Salh (wealth advisor), Annie Ohana (award-winning teacher, LA Matheson Secondary) and Lily Harper (young entrepreneur), among others.
Funding partners for the conference are Soroptimist Foundation of Canada, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Surrey Firefighters Charitable Society.