Dozens of female high school students from across the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB) travelled to Toronto to participate in Dreamer Day 2025, an event that inspires young women to see themselves in careers where women have not always had equal representation, like engineering, technology, and the trades.
Students representing seven schools: Patrick Fogarty, St. Joseph's, Our Lady Of the Bay, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Joan of Arc, St. Peter's, and Holy Trinity, spent the day at the Enercare Centre connecting with female leaders, experiencing hands-on workshops, and shattering preconceived notions about future employment.
Hosted by the organization Build a Dream, the event is designed to introduce students to diverse pathways in Skilled Trades, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math), and Emergency Response. For many of the SMCDSB participants, the hands-on displays opened doors to careers they had never seriously considered.
Among the roles that sparked high interest were a military therapist, a career blending mental health support with service to the armed forces, as well as the high-stakes fields of paramedicine and border security. Perhaps most surprising was the fascination with the skilled trades, as students tried their hand at welding, and learned about a high-demand industry offering robust, rewarding opportunities.
A major highlight of the day was the main stage panel, which featured inspiring female leaders sharing candid advice on navigating male-dominated environments. Students were left with two resonant messages: perseverance and confidence.
One panelist offered a crucial perspective on resilience, telling the enthusiastic crowd, "The passion you have for what you are doing is stronger than who is in the room." Another speaker encouraged students not to be deterred by early setbacks, emphasizing the importance of tenacity with the simple, direct instruction: "Don't give up at no."
The experience served as a powerful reminder for the young women of SMCDSB that their career potential is limitless, and that their interests can lead them anywhere.
For more information
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