This spring, students from St. Paul and St. Patrick’s High Schools participated in an unforgettable experience: the Be YOU Project, a cross-curricular initiative that brought together creativity, identity, and hands-on learning in powerful and meaningful ways.
Building from the Ground Up
At its core, Be YOU was more than a classroom assignment. It was a journey of self-discovery and self-expression. Students did not just learn; they built, designed, and created something that reflected their identity. Using custom kits from Roarockit, each student handcrafted two skateboard decks, one to keep and one to display within their school community. Starting with raw wood, they transformed simple materials into personal works of art filled with meaning and story.
Exploring Identity Through Art and Design
Throughout the project, students explored woodworking, design, and visual arts while reflecting on deeper questions about identity, culture, and belonging. They were guided by two guest artists who brought their passion and expertise to the experience.
Jay Odjick, an acclaimed Indigenous artist, led workshops on the power of art as a tool for storytelling and cultural preservation. He encouraged students to reflect on their roots, experiences, and heritage and use their skateboard decks as a canvas to express those stories. His mentorship helped students connect their artistic expression to their sense of place and community.
Tyler Proulx, a stencil and sticker art specialist, worked closely with students to ensure that every participant, including high-needs Inclusion students, could participate fully and meaningfully. Through adaptive and accessible techniques, Tyler confidently helped each student express their creativity and individuality.
Connecting Passion to Pathways
Beyond artistic design, the Be YOU Project connected creativity to real-world learning. Students participated in presentations about career pathways and the skilled trades, linking their hands-on work to potential future opportunities. These sessions sparked interest in fields such as carpentry, design, and entrepreneurship, showing students that their creativity could become both a career and a calling.
A Showcase of Stories and Skateboards
The project culminated in a vibrant showcase event at the end of May, held at the Lansdowne Park Horticulture Building. The student-created skateboard decks were displayed as a large wall installation, transforming the space into a colourful gallery of youth voices and visions.
Students, staff, and community members gathered to celebrate the students’ achievements and to view their stunning, meaningful artwork. Each board told a story of culture, creativity, resilience, and pride. The event captured the spirit of OCSB’s Deep Learning approach, where students learn with their minds and hearts.
A Royal Moment to Remember
The Be YOU Project also gained international attention during the royal visit to Lansdowne Park the day before the showcase. As part of their tour, King Charles and Queen Camilla viewed the student artwork and spoke with two St. Patrick’s High School students. The students shared how they built and designed their skateboards and what the experience meant to them.
King Charles smiled as he admired the craftsmanship and joked that he had tried skateboarding but would not try it again. The exchange left a lasting impression on the students and staff who witnessed it.
Be YOU: A Lasting Impact
The Be YOU Project was a powerful example of how learning can engage the whole person in mind, body, and spirit. It combined creativity, collaboration, and self-expression, allowing students to explore who they are and how they relate to the world around them.
Students built confidence, pride, and a deeper sense of belonging through art, design, and storytelling. The project reflected what it truly means to Be Community, Be Well, and Be Innovative at the Ottawa Catholic School Board.
