HONOURING SACRIFICE
Srishti Foundation selects Fanshawe College students to lead war memorial campaign

Five students from Fanshawe College have been selected to lead the Brothers in Arms Memorial campaign in London.

Music Juntarattanakamol, Bryle Flores, Isaac Bilyea, Milana Gabbassova and Bernardo Macapagal were chosen during a competition at the Interactive Media Design and User Experience Design Industry Night. They have developed a website and advertising campaign to raise awareness and funds for the construction and installation of a stone memorial.

"Collaborating with a community partner like the Brothers in Arms Memorial provides students with meaningful, real-world experience that mirrors the collaborative, deadline-driven nature of professional environments," said Marco De Luca, program coordinator for the Interactive Media Design Program. "It strengthens their confidence, communication and creative skills, while allowing them to see the tangible impact of their work in the community, fostering both purpose and professional readiness." 

Srishti Foundation Canada is creating a Brothers in Arms memorial - the first of its kind in Canada - to commemorate the valour of Indian and Canadian soldiers who fought side-by-side on the Western Front during World War I.  

The memorial encourages future generations to uphold the values of humanity and freedom. In addition, it highlights the soldiers' heroism, sacrifices, challenges and emotions as well as their shared experiences of battle. 

"The students involved with the Brothers in Arms War Memorial have shown extraordinary compassion, maturity, innovation and creativity. Their commitment honours the memory of those who served with remarkable dignity," said Vinod Varapravan, program director, Srishti Foundation. 

The memorial will be on Veterans Memorial Parkway at the southwest corner of the intersection of Veteran's Memorial Parkway and Hamiliton Road. The project will be completed in two phases - 108 trees were planted in a Guard of Honour formation during the first phase while the second phase will have a stone memorial. 

This was a semester-long project that began in January. Most of the project took place at the School of Media and Digital Arts and it culminated on Industry Night at The Chef's Table in downtown London. Students worked in teams, operating like mini-agencies and they presented their work during the term at weeks four, eight and 13. The top three teams were selected - after the week 13 presentations - to present their final pitches to the client at Industry Night.