Anna Price Farago
This project has been one of my favourite life achievements, not because of the final product, but because of the process. I love this project for the same reasons that I love my job -- it is honest, it is purposeful, and it matters.
Natalie Davey
Natalie Davey, a fellow English teacher, aided students who wanted to sing but did not have the desire or confidence to come up with melodies by themselves. She is responsible for most of the beautiful harmonies that you hear. She also helped keep students enthused as the day became night. Ms. Price definitely could not have survived this process alone. In addition to her teaching job, and her position as Chair of the Board of the Frontlines community centre in Weston, Natalie also speaks on how to build trust with at-risk youth.
Valencia Lubrin
I may be petite, but I have been blessed with a very powerful voice. I am 18 years old, born in St. Lucia, Castries. I am in my church choir, and on the praise and worship team. I am planning to attend Humber College or Western University to help me become a professional vocalist. There is nothing else I enjoy more than singing. I am grateful to be part of this song and I am hoping it won't be my last.
Ceejay Ellis
I was born in St. Ann’s Jamaica, and grew up in Kingston. I was nine years old when I moved to Canada.I am 17 years old and I currently attend Weston Collegiate institute and I am one of the captains of for the Weston Ironmen varsity football team. I also play rugby, basketball, soccer, tennis, badminton, floor hockey, and just about any sports. It is a great honor to be included in Ms. Price’s “Obama Song”. I think that Obama is a great example to many around the world and especially to the students and staff of Weston C.I. Mahatma Gandhi said “we must be the change we want to see in the world” and Barrack Obama is becoming that great change! President Obama inspires me to be the best I can be regardless of the odds against me.
Melissa Williams
Check out Melissa performing her spoken word poem, "Click Click Boom".
Melissa Williams has been performing since the age of 9 beginning with little song and dance performances in school and church. She attended Etobicoke School for the Arts for two years majoring in musical theatre before switching to Weston Collegiate Institute. Melissa has since then broadened her horizons to explore other departments in the arts such as in-studio song production (singing and writing), theatre (script-writing and performance), and spoken-word poetry. Melissa uses her talents to help others through the most difficult of situations and hopes that she will be able to do so for the remainder of her life on earth.
Mark Bisnauth
I was born Ontario into a Guyanese family 14 years ago and I am a proud Canadian and South American. I have been influenced by music and sports all my life. I can play the piano, drums, viola and guitar. I play a number of sports, including volleyball, tennis, baseball and, my favorite, soccer. Some of my heroes include, Slash (Guns 'N' Roses), Mohammad Ali, John Lennon and Luis Figo. I enjoys playing my instruments as well as singing. It was a privilege to sing and be a part of "Weston to the Whitehouse" and the Black History month assembly. It is something I will always remember. I look forward to days where there will be no specific month to show respect for races and creeds, there will just be respect all the time - everywhere, for everyone.
Tyrell Cunningham
I was born in Toronto 17 years ago. Before coming to Weston Collegiate, I was a quiet kid who was depressed a lot. I have grown into a well-rounded guy with the help of good friends, family and teachers. I have dreams of becoming a comedian; they are a little faded, but still there. My alternate plan is to become a plumber and be very involved in my community. I really enjoy making people laugh and having a good time.
Monique Anderson
Singing for me is a way of life; I have been singing since the age of four. Creating this video was me important to me because it is a chance for everyone to help us have find our future and help us make our dreams come true.
Queen Soga
My name is Queen Soga (that's my real name!). I am 15 years old. I was born and raised in Nigeria until 2006 when I came to Canada. This project was something I decided to do for fun and I loved every minute of it. I have always loved singing and dancing. Although, I love dancing and singing, my main passion is acting. Ever since I was a little girl, I have been drawn to acting -- in school plays and summer programs involving acting, like the Shakespearience Program. When I was about 5 years old, I also did some calendar modeling jobs in Nigeria.
Gabridonne Neverson
Gabridonne Donique Neverson was born in 1990, on the small, beautiful Caribbean Island called St. Vincent and the Grenadines. She is also known as Gabby or Gabri, and now resides in Canada. In her spare time, she loves to dance, cook, interact with friends, and sing. Ever since she was a little girl growing up, she has always loved to sing while was doing chores, or on her church's choir. She also appreciates many different types of genres in music.
Annie Deterville
Annie Deterville was born in Toronto, Canada on May 10, 1993. Her hobbies are singing, acting and playing sports. Her biggest dream of all is becoming big in the theater industry, and hopes to own her own theater. With her dreams, she has faith in God, that He will see her through. She finds her religion really important, because it shapes who she is. She has many dreams and hopes that one day they will come true.
Emily Putnam
I had never really taken part in anything like this before and it all started with one of my friends pushing me to do it, but I am so happy that I did. I have loved music my entire life, but have never really thought of it as a possibility for the future. This experience has opened my eyes and I truly want to work harder and focus on music. I, currently, sing and play the flute and I am attempting to teach myself how to play guitar in hope that I will open more doors for myself into the musical world. I am planning on attending university in Toronto and I wish to continue with music in the future. I am proud to be a part of such a marvellous project. It was a motivational and truly moving experience. To know that it was recorded all in one day is absolutely astonishing.
Khanh Phan
I was born in the Philippines 16 years ago. I arrived in Canada and the age of 3 and prepared to be the first person in my family educated out of a high school system. I initially dreamed of pursuing music in university, but i have decided to pursue my second passion, which is science in the applied field of engineering. Despite the change in professional goals, I plan to continue building my love of music and pushing the auditory boundaries in funk, rock, blues, jazz and soul through my musical collective, Vibalside. My musical intiative parallels my perserverance in academic excellence.
Joel Reid
My name is Joel Reid and I am 15 years old. All my life I have had secret aspirations to become an actor, but due to the low success rate in the career I have decided to become a lawyer. This way I can put my excellent public speaking skills and my argumentative nature to good use. As a hobby, I enjoy singing and I actively sing at my church. I see the Obama song project as an great opportunity to use my hobbies and skills to send a positive message to my community and the world at large. I hope my involvement in the video can lead to more opportunities and help motivate others out there to pursue their dreams. We hope that our song will make it from Weston to the Whitehouse. And maybe I can still become an actor.
Devante Burey
My bio is on its way...
Nicole & Portia Deterville
My bio is on its way...
Brenda
My bio is on its way...
Jessica
My bio is on its way...
Kaila Duceberry
My bio is on its way...
Asher McKenzie - Production Assistant
I am a grade 11 student at Weston Collegiate. My favourite subjects are biology and anthropology. I really enjoy reading, music, and FOOD! My favourite pastime is chilling at church with my friends. I, personally, love The Obama Song; my favourite part is Devante's rap (which Terrell wrote!).
Delano Smith - Super Technician
I will be 18 years old this year. I was born and raised on the beautiful island called Jamaica where dreams seem to be dried. But when I moved to a country called Canada at the age of 11, I saw light; I saw my dreams now coming to life; I saw hope and opportunities. Thanks to all, especially my southern neighbors, the United States of America and my number one president, Barack Obama, whom encourages me to keep on and never give up through his strong and powerful words. I am gifted and anointed in ways such as to be able to play the piano, organ, drums, keyboard and trumpet. Furthermore, I am also able to operate sound equipment, computers, lighting equipment and any other technical devices.