Inspiring Stories Of Local Kids . . . Meet Our Windsor Wonders
Over the years, we hear about many adult students taking the drama or music classes at the University of Windsor who have achieved success in the entertainment industry, or with community ventures . . . but what about the children?
Biz X magazine is always looking to profile amazing kids in the community who’ve been following their dreams and making a name for themselves, well before becoming adults.
Our readers know in previous issues we have highlighted various youths doing great things and now, to kick-start 2025, we once again have found an impressive list of kids to write about!
Choosing the direction you want to follow in life is a difficult decision for anyone, let alone someone still in grade school or high school. A child needs to take many factors need into account — how to get started; how to keep up my grades in school; how to still do other activities that I like to enjoy; and how to get to spend time my friends.
Before we take a look at these wonderfully talented individuals, we introduce you to Jessica Swabey, the Practice Owner/Family Therapist of Swabey Family Counselling. Her credentials include a Master’s degree in counselling psychology; Canadian Certified Counsellor with the Canadian Counselling & Psychotherapy Association; registration as an Allied Mental Health Professional with the American Association for Marriage & Family Therapy; and she is a Registered Social Worker with Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Swabey’s group practice has operated out of the Active Body Physical Therapy Plaza, 1765 Sprucewood Avenue, Unit 400 in LaSalle, since 2020 she opened her private practice in 2016 and was located in
Windsor and Tecumseh before moving to LaSalle. Prior to this, Swabey had 10 years of experience working in community mental health and school settings. In the group practice, she employs a Family Care Coordinator (administration) two therapists, plus herself. (Find out more about their therapy services on: SwabeyCounselling.com).
“We specialize in working with kids, teens, and their parents,” Swabey points out. “We understand that family life can be overwhelming, especially when kids face struggles with making friends, managing
emotions, or controlling behaviours. That’s why our unique approach focuses on parents and kids working together — to learn amazing skills, to understand, manage, and express emotions effectively, so families can reduce conflict and create homes filled with calm, confidence, and connection.”
Biz X spoke with Swabey about how parents and their children can learn to balance everything as life gets busier. Swabey explains as follows — as schedules get more hectic, it’s important to recognize the positive impact of supportive relationships. These connections help kids manage stress, prioritize activities, and use their time wisely.
When kids have strong, supportive relationships with parents, caregivers, extended family, coaches, or teachers, they tend to do better overall.
Of course, we can’t forget the basics. It’s important to eat healthily, get enough sleep, and stay active through exercise or other activities. Proper sleep, movement, and nutrition not only improve physical health, but they also boost our mood, reduce stress, and help us handle challenges better.
Unstructured, off-screen time is also important for kids. It allows them to be creative and use their imagination without strict rules or schedules. This free time helps them develop problem-solving skills, manage conflicts, and improve social interactions as they play and communicate with others. It also encourages emotional growth, as kids learn to cope with boredom, frustration, and other emotions.
Most importantly, kids need to have a say in how they spend their time and choose their activities. This builds independence, strengthens decision-making skills, and increases motivation and engagement. Kids need to enjoy life and have fun, instead of jumping into the stressful adult world too soon.
As we look at the individuals profiled in this January installment of The Parenting Biz, it is important to note that all kids are incredible human beings in their own way. They are able to surprise us with little gestures and acts of kindness, as well as showing us talents that often stay hidden. We hope you enjoy reading about these young individuals who have gone beyond the normal expectations of being a kid and impressed everyone with their acting, musical talents and desire to volunteer and make a difference in this world.
RIVER PRICE-MAENPAA: HER STAR IS ON THE RISE
Our first talented young lady is River Price-Maenpaa — now 10 years old — who is born and raised in Windsor and has been acting since she was four.
Growing up she was always around acting, as her parents are both actors. She caught the acting bug as well, and after her first audition, she knew this was what she wanted to do.
While Price-Maenpaa hasn’t taken any acting classes, her parents do teach her at home; when she receives a script or is preparing for an audition, her parents work on it with her. Besides acting, she takes
singing lessons, which is helpful since there have been some Disney auditions requiring singers.
As an aspiring actress, Price-Maenpaa has been in numerous TV shows, such as Blue’s Clues & You; Tales From The Loop (Prime Video) and The Way Home.
She has a guest star role as Lyla in DOC, a new FOX series about a doctor who loses her memory during a car accident. The show debuts January 7, 2025.
Aside from the TV programs, she has also been in feature films. In North of Normal (2022/2023) Price-Maenpaa had a leading role as the young Cea Sunrise Person. The movie went to TIFF (Toronto
International Film Festival) and WIFF (Windsor International Film Festival) then premiered in theatres and is now on Apple TV, Crave and Air Canada (in flight entertainment).
What’s next? Price-Maenpaa has a lead role as Faith in the upcoming Canadian film Unseen, which premieres at festivals in 2025 and on Crave. The film is about a swimming coach experiencing “unseen
homelessness” and living in a van, while keeping his homelessness a secret.
“I saw my parents acting and how much fun it is, so I wanted to do it as well. My brother does it too. I receive really good feedback from casting directors and directors that I am very good at what I do. That is always so nice to hear and makes me very happy. I love acting and singing, so I hope I get to do both forever.” – River Price-Maenpaa
On top of her acting career, Price-Maenpaa is also involved in gymnastics, Taekwondo, squash and learning the guitar. She is currently attending King Edward Public School and is in Grade 5.
When asked about her daughter’s interest in acting, Price-Maenpaa’s mother, Elinor Price states: “I am blown away with River’s talent every time I help her with her auditions. She is so natural, so captivating and takes on her characters and brings to life something I didn’t think a 10 year old could.”
Price mentions that the entire family acts. Their son Kai who is eight years old is also an actor. The entire family was involved in a McDonald’s commercial, plus Price and her husband Matt Maenpaa did a Canada Life commercial with their daughter.
The old saying, the family that plays together, stays together, is modified for the Price-Maenpaa family. It is definitely the family that acts together — stays together.
“I love the adventures it takes me on and meeting new people,” comments Price-Maenpaa. “I get to travel a lot and my whole family comes with me. My mom always says ‘let’s see what new adventure awaits’ and I just can’t wait.”
Keep up to date with all the news associated with this rising young star on Instagram.
LEAVE THOSE KIDS ALONE: CAPTIVATING AUDIENCES WITH SPOT-ON RENDITIONS OF CLASSIC ROCK
FAVOURITES
Most of us are familiar with the music of Pink Floyd’s 1979 album The Wall.
The song, Another Brick in the Wall and its famous line “Hey teacher, leave them kids alone” resonates in our memory. The feeling we get from these lyrics screams classic rock, as well as referencing kids, so Leave Those Kids Alone (L.T.K.A.) is the perfect name for a band of four young musicians.
In June 2018 siblings Alex and Addisyn (Addi) Bonadonna started the band. At seven years old, Addi was the youngest band member! The other band members also started at a young age, but now are growing up before our eyes.
The band members are: Addi (drums), 14, from Windsor, and a student at Tecumseh Vista Academy — Secondary; Alex (guitar), 17, also from Windsor and a student at Tecumseh Vista; Louis Diab (keyboards),
18, from LaSalle who is currently an electrical engineering student at the University of Windsor; and Luca Angelini (bass), 18, also from LaSalle and is a graduate of Sandwich Secondary School, now working
at Centerline. The band is managed by Addi and Alex’s father John-Paul (J.P.) Bonadonna.
Addi sums up her desire for music this way: “I’ve been playing the drums since I was little and it has always been what I wanted to do in life. So far, it is a dream come true. It’s my favourite thing to do, so to be able to have a band where I get to play all the time is amazing. My friends think what I do is really cool. I’d like to continue what we’re doing and get even bigger.”
Her brother, Alex, states: “It is my dream to be a rock and roll star like my idols. I never want to have to work a normal 9 to 5 job. I love writing music. I feel so happy when I am playing music with my best friends and I never have a single worry in the world. It is the most fun thing I have done, or that I will ever do.”
THE PARENTING BIZ CONTINUES ON PAGE 30 OF THE JANUARY 2025 EDITION
