For the past 10 years, the annual Denim, Diamonds and Diplomas fundraiser has been a beacon of hope for first-generation post-secondary students in Niagara.

Hosted by the Brock Leaders Citizenship Society (BLCS), the event raises funds for bursaries awarded to graduating students of DSBN Academy, a St. Catharines school dedicated to breaking generational barriers to education.

Tickets for the 10th anniversary celebration of Denim, Diamonds and Diplomas are available now, with all proceeds benefiting the DSBN Academy graduating class of 2025. The event takes place Thursday, Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Queenston Mile Vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

This year, BLCS aims to raise $10,000, adding to the more than $90,000 the event has raised for DSBN Academy students over the past nine years.

The shift from a formal gala to a cocktail-style event in recent years has helped the fundraiser grow and attract a wider audience, with attendees invited to don their best denim and dazzling jewelry while enjoying live music, a raffle and a live auction.

“Success isn’t just about the amount of money raised,” says Shelby Vollmershausen, Vice-President of BLCS and a third-year Concurrent Teacher Education. “It’s about bringing people together to believe in making a change. Every attendee contributes to shaping the futures of these students.”

One of those students is Reisa Bell, a first-year Women and Gender Studies student at Brock University and a past bursary recipient. Now part of the BLCS team organizing this year’s event, she credits the bursary for helping her transition into post-secondary education.

“Opportunity is about having the resources and support to chase your dreams,” Bell says. “Receiving the Denim, Diamonds and Diplomas bursary offset costs for my education and provided me with a sense of community. It’s incredible to now be working alongside the very team that made this opportunity possible for me.”

Bell emphasized the broader impact of initiatives like Denim, Diamonds and Diplomas, which directly invest in Niagara’s future.

“Supporting first-generation students through events like this creates a ripple effect,” she says. “These students become the workers, advocates and leaders of tomorrow, driving innovation, excellence and diversity in our community.”

For Vollmershausen, seeing the personal impact of the bursary is deeply motivating.

“I’ve had the privilege of mentoring Reisa, and her determination to achieve her dreams inspires me to keep this initiative going,” she says.

With proceeds from the event going directly to DSBN Academy bursaries, both Vollmershausen and Bell hope attendees leave feeling proud of their contributions to building an equitable and inclusive Niagara.

“By supporting these students, we’re helping to ensure their dreams become a reality,” Bell says. “It’s about creating a brighter future for everyone.”