Over 5-thousand area students from grade 7 to 12 are expected to gather at the Essar Centre this morning for a youth empowerment celebration.  YoutheSoo is a 3-hour event that is scheduled to get underway at 10:30 this morning.  The event is a collaboration involving both district school boards, Algoma Public Health and the Algoma Arts Festival.   Organizer Donna Hilsinger says she worked on an event with Algoma University a couple of years ago bringing in international child and youth activist and co-founder of Free the Children Craig Kielburger and at that time wanted to bring him back.  He will be back as one of many inspirational guest speakers for today’s event.  There will be a local flavour to the talent as BJ and Mac Marcoux, Brad Jacobs will be among the guest speakers along with special music guest the O’Schraves and Dr. Roberta Bondar has sent a message to be played at the event.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to advise motorists using the downtown core today in the area of the Essar Centre, to expect some minor traffic disruptions as a result of the arrival and departure of students for the YoutheSoo event.  Over 5000 elementary and high school students from the local area will be attending the event, with the majority being bused to the site.  The traffic disruptions may occur between 9:00 to 10:30 am for the arrival, and between 1:30 and 2:30 for the departure.  Uniformed officers will be assisting with traffic control to ensure this is a safe event for everyone.