Talent show to benefit mental health
Student organizer hoping to raise spirits and money for agency which helps children, youth
Niagara teen Evan Hardy hopes to raise spirits and a bit of money for mental health with an online talent show this month.
Dubbed “Niagara’s Got Talent,” the Jan. 31 show will gather more than 10 local performers to help stir up some cash for Pathstone Mental Health.
Hardy, a 17-year-old in his final year at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School, says many of his friends are struggling with their mental health during the pandemic.
“A friend let me know I saved her life just by being there and listening to her,” he says. “It’s hard to be there for everybody, but it’s such a common issue. I wanted to be able to expose Pathstone to as many people as possible.”
Among other things, he says, the talent show will allow people to have fun and “forget about life for a minute.”
The show stems from the Believe Leadership Initiative Club developed by former Canadian Olympic hurdler Sarah Wells. It encourages students to develop leadership traits by developing passion projects. Hardy’s idea
for a virtual talent show was one of six projects chosen to be presented to Wells.
Participants will perform from their home and submit their clips. Though he expects many clips of students singing, Hardy says he has already received videos of magic acts, dramatic acting and sports.
“I’ve been trying to get as much diversity as possible,” he
says. “I knew singing would be a lot more common.”
Lundy Manor and Oxford Living will sponsor the event, which starts streaming at 8 p.m. Jan. 31.
Voters will choose the top three acts, with $100 going to the first-place finisher, $75 to second and $50 to third.
Residents of Lundy Manor will also choose the act with
“the most passion,” with a $50 Pen Centre gift card going to the winner. All acts get their name entered for a chance to win a Pen Centre gift card as well.
The show can be viewed at www.niagarasgottalent.com/