Da Vinci Day Highlights

Da Vinci Day brought an exciting mix of creativity, career exploration, and entrepreneurship to campus, giving students the chance to hear from inspiring professionals and develop their own ideas.

The day began with a special presentation by Angela Liddon, CFIS parent and bestselling author of the Oh She Glows cookbook series. Angela spoke with students about her journey as a writer, entrepreneur, and food creator, sharing how passion and perseverance helped turn her love of cooking into a successful career. With her fifth cookbook on the way, students were inspired to see how a personal interest can grow into something much bigger.

At the same time, Grade 7 students gathered for a Careers in Sports panel featuring professionals from across the sports world. Panelists included Maryse Daze, Senior Manager of CFL Football Operations; Geoff Snider, former professional NLL player and founder and CEO of Elev8 Lacrosse; Reid Brody, Head Coach of Men’s Sitting Volleyball; and Usman Tahir Jutt, Co-Chairman of Calgary Surge Basketball and a CFIS parent. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the many different paths that exist within the sports industry.

Meanwhile, Grade 6 students headed out for a French theatre experience, attending a performance of Ma Belle Mère la Sorcière. The outing was a fun way to experience language and storytelling outside the classroom.

Later in the afternoon, students welcomed Anna Rebus, an archaeologist and CFIS parent, who shared what it’s like to work in the field of archaeology. Speaking to Grade 6 students in the Secondary Gym, she explained how archaeologists uncover and study clues from the past, giving students a fascinating look into the work of exploring ancient cultures and history.

Throughout the day, students also spent time in their homerooms developing their own business ideas, preparing for the Business Case Competition. The day wrapped up with the finals in the Secondary Gym, where finalist teams presented their ideas to a panel of judges made up of business professionals from the community, including several CFIS parents. After hearing the pitches and asking questions, the judges selected the winning team.

Da Vinci Day was a wonderful reminder of how learning can extend beyond the classroom, connecting students with real careers, inspiring new ideas, and encouraging them to think creatively about their future. A big thank you to all the guest speakers, panelists, and judges who shared their time and expertise with our students.