In a world where discord and discontent tend to dominate the headlines, it’s always nice to be reminded of the joy and goodness in the world.
So today, we’re taking some time out from pipelines and demovictions to take our hats off to the talented teens of Burnaby who strutted their stuff on the Michael J. Fox Theatre stage on Monday night.
Top acts from each of Burnaby’s eight high schools competed in the annual Burnaby’s Got Talent event, with Burnaby North Secondary’s Haleluya Hailu (pictured on today’s front cover) earning the title for her singer-songwriter efforts.
As always, the students displayed an array of musical and dance talent – and even dog-training talent, thanks to Hannah Kinnie and her canine companion, Lucy.
But it’s not just their level of talent that’s impressive.
What really makes these teens shine is their willingness to follow their passion and to chart their own individual path in life. Whether that path has led them to dance, to pick up a violin or to bare their souls in song, these teens have figured out the importance of being true to themselves.
And they’ve figured out, too, that the world would be a poorer place without art.
Now more than ever – in the midst of war, poverty, environmental destruction and political turmoil – this planet needs artists as it has never needed them before.
It needs performers like Haleluya and all of her peers to do what it is that artists do best: to make us laugh and cry and think, to help us find meaning, to call us to action and, most of all, to tap into the best of each of us and to bring us together in shared humanity.
That’s why we extend our thanks to each and every one of the 16 acts who got up on that stage on Monday night and shared a part of themselves with us.
Whatever comes of all the challenges and crises in our world, we feel hopeful knowing this planet’s future is in the hands of young people like you.
