Georgian students have talent!

March 25, 2019

There’s so much more that goes on outside the classroom – including the opportunity for students to showcase their hidden talents on stage at Georgian’s annual benefit concert.

For over 25 years, students have been participating in this fundraiser that demonstrates they’ve got more than academic skills to highlight on their resumé. They also see the value in raising funds to help their peers who may need additional financial help while at college. The show funds an annual $1,000 entrance award and the rest of the proceeds go into financial aid bursaries.

Myshel Pajuaar, a Graphic Design student, is looking forward to participating in the show – which takes place in the Georgian Theatre at the Barrie Campus on March 28 and 29.

What made you choose Georgian? I’ve lived in Barrie for the majority of my life. Georgian was close to home so was a natural choice for me!

Why the graphic design field? I’ve been artsy my whole life. My first round in college was for administration that seemed like a good career path: a good job, maybe a good salary. I worked in Saskatchewan for eight years at a college and decided that if I was going to be behind a computer screen, sitting on my butt, I would rather do something that made me happy. I moved home and shortly afterward applied to Georgian for Graphic Design.

What’s been your most memorable Georgian experience? My three years have all been memorable.

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting amazing people and have been taught and mentored by some incredibly supportive instructors within the program. This is my last semester as I graduate in April. It’s good but I’ll be sad to leave everyone.

What’s one of your key takeaways from the program? This program has not only given me the skills and knowledge to excel within the graphic design industry but it has also given me a new found confidence within myself and my talent as a designer.

What inspires you creatively? The world around me. Sometimes it’s hard to see the good in this crazy world…art is my way of trying to put positivity back into the air. Designers have a platform that can transform the environment around them. A good design can inspire, make waves and change minds.

What do you plan to do following graduation? First, I plan on taking a short break – taking a breath and spending some time with the friends and family who have supported me through this three-year journey. My hope for the future is to do some freelance work on the side while working within my current workplace, focusing on marketing and workshops and other creative projects.

You’re performing in Georgian’s annual benefit concert. Will that be fun? This will be my second year performing in the show. I’m so excited to share the stage with all the amazing talent Georgian has. I’ve met some wonderful people while participating in the show, and would certainly encourage other students to get involved while they’re here.

What are you doing in the show? I’m singing Otis Redding’s “(Sitting On) the Dock of the Bay.” I’m being accompanied by a band featuring two of my instructors – which is really cool!

Do you write your own songs? I had the pleasure of touring with a band – The Midnight Roses – while living in Saskatchewan. This gave me the opportunity to write and record some of my own songs. I still continue to write but certainly miss being immersed within the music scene.

Want to see Myshel perform? Find out how you can purchase tickets to see her and all the other talented students in the Georgian’s Got Talent (or not!) Benefit Concert.

Any students who performs or help out with the concert can apply it to their Georgian co-curricular record (CCR). The CCR is an official document you create to enhance your resumé, career, academic and/or personal portfolios. It is official recognition of your participation in co-curricular activities that happened outside of the classroom. You it as support when you apply for jobs, co-ops, internships, scholarships, awards and future development experiences.