On March 28, the Gr. 11 Media Arts students of Sacred Heart were visited by聽Chris Emanuel, President and CEO of the Central York Chamber of Commerce鈥攁nd proud Sacred Heart alumnus鈥攁long with聽Leslee Mason, Vice President of Strategy and Communications. The duo met with the students to launch an exciting campaign challenge focused on supporting Canadian businesses, products, and services, especially in light of the ongoing trade tensions with the United States.
The initiative, a collaboration between Sacred Heart and the Central York Chamber of Commerce, asked students to create bold, youth-targeted awareness campaigns using Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and other digital applications. The goal was to highlight the importance of buying local and inspire the next generation of Canadian consumers to support domestic producers.聽This collaboration also exemplifies the Community and Arts partnership central to the school鈥檚 Integrated Regional Arts Program (iRAP).
鈥淭his project allowed our students to merge creative design with social responsibility,鈥� said Mr. Galang, their Media Arts teacher. 鈥淭hey were asked to think critically about how art and design can influence public awareness and purchasing decisions, while at the same time, supporting the local business community.鈥�
Three outstanding student campaigns were selected and will be showcased at the Chamber鈥檚 annual聽聽on May 15, an upcoming high-profile business event in York Region:
- 鈥淗onk Loud鈥�聽by Eleane P.
- 鈥淗oody Girl鈥�聽by Natalie B.
- 鈥淟ocal in Your Cart鈥�聽by Sophia H.
鈥淲ow! The students have done such a great job. Please extend our thanks and how impressed we are with their work.鈥�
鈥� Leslee Mason, Vice President of Strategy and Communications
The project also aligns with a growing national trend. School boards across Canada鈥攊ncluding the 好色tv鈥攈ave committed to supporting Canadian producers and suppliers in their own procurement efforts. This initiative reinforces the message that buying Canadian isn鈥檛 just a consumer choice鈥攊t鈥檚 a local economic investment.
This initiative also reflects the Chamber鈥檚 ongoing commitment to innovation, community development, and fostering the next generation of leaders. By empowering youth through creative expression, the Chamber and Sacred Heart students are helping to shape a future where local support and civic awareness go hand in hand.
The Central York Chamber of Commerce, serving East Gwillimbury and Newmarket, fosters economic vibrancy and inclusive growth. Through initiatives like this, the Chamber continues to redefine leadership by supporting innovation, civic engagement, and meaningful collaboration between business and education.
