In this video interview, Steve Mesler, President/CEO of Classroom Champions, discusses the purpose and vision of the organization and talks about how the energy industry is helping the cause.
Steve Mesler
PRESS RELEASE
Calgary, AB – Over 330 business leaders will come together to raise funds for high needs
classrooms on May 17, 2023 as part of Classroom Champions annual Champion Chats event.
The fundraiser, which started in 2016, brings together professional and Olympic/Paralympic
athletes for an inspiring conversation about overcoming adversity, achieving excellence, team
dynamics and personal growth. This year’s panel includes:
- Brigette Lacquette: The first First Nations hockey player to be named to Canada’s National Women’s Team, first Indigenous woman to scout for the NHL, Olympic Silver Medalist and Classroom Champions Ambassador;
- Andrew Ladd: A two-time Stanley Cup Champion and Former Calgary Hitmen player, an NHLer with over 1,000 NHL games and Co-Founder of The Ladd Foundation and the youth hockey SEL program “1616”;
- Nate Riech: Paralympic Gold Medalist and one of the biggest names to emerge in Para athletics, 3 x WR Holder in the 800m, 1500m and 5000m, and Classroom Champions mentor;
- Tara Slone: Expertly moderating the panel, formerly co-host with Ron MacLean
on Hometown Hockey and current San Jose Sharks host and contributor for the
Sharks on NBC
Steve Mesler, Classroom Champions Co-Founder, President and CEO, says, “Everyone needs a champion in their lives and the inspiration to dream big. Through Classroom Champions we match the best athletes in the world with classrooms of kids who greatly need an encouraging voice in their lives. Through a guided curriculum, athletes teach students the skills to thrive in
and outside of the classroom.” Money raised at Champion Chats will expand Classroom Champions into new, underserved schools across Western Canada.
New to this year’s program is a candid conversation between Steve Mesler and Dr. Quintina Bearchief-Adolpho as they discuss the research that shows the positive impact of Classroom Champion’s social emotional learning (SEL) and the connection to lower mental health issues in children.
Another unique aspect of this year’s event is the celebration of the 21 energy companies that have joined together to support the work of Classroom Champions. Also known as the “Energizing Communities Collective”, the group has raised $3.6M towards a goal of $4M to investment in communities across Western Canada.
“It is incredible to see how energy leaders and their respective companies have come together to raise funds to help communities where they operate. The energy industry appreciates how their operations impact communities and want to give back and make a long-lasting positive impact. What could be better than investing in children?” says Geri Greenall, Chief Financial Officer, Spartan Delta Corp.
Mesler adds, “There are just a few tables left for Champion Chats. For those energy services companies and business leaders who are part of Calgary’s energy industry, this is a must-attend event. We invite them to join us in honouring the work that is truly making a difference by bringing Classroom Champions to schools in high-need communities.”
Champion Chats Details:
May 17, 2023
11 am – 1 pm
Hyatt Regency Calgary
Tickets and sponsorship: https://www.classroomchampions.org/championchats
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More about Classroom Champions
Classroom Champions is a nonprofit charity that has impacted over a million students to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through the mentorship and mindsets of world-class athletes. Working with 300+ Olympic, Paralympic, university student-athletes and professional athletes who volunteer as mentors and over 5,000 teachers, Classroom Champions programs
and curriculum has worked with predominantly underserved, rural, and Indigenous communities across the continent. Students participating in Classroom Champions see significant improvements in the classroom, teachers see improved engagement, and athlete mentors learn new skills to prepare for life after sport. Learn more at: www.classroomchampions.org.
(Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Podcast. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He worked for 35 years at the Calgary Herald, covering sports, crime, politics, health, faith, city and breaking news, and business. He works as well as a freelance writer for several national publications and as a consultant in communications and media relations/training. Mario was named in 2021 as one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the World by PR News – the only Canadian to make the list)
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