Star athletes, along with leaders in policing and entertainment, attended Merry Go Round Children's Foundation's Inspiration 2011 celebration. The event, held June 1 at the Toronto International Celebration Church, recognized the achievements of Grade 7 students on the Kids, Cops & Computers program.

"What an amazing morning and afternoon! Had a blast hosting the Kids, Cops and Computers' Inspiration 2011 event!" tweeted Melissa Grelo, co-host of CP24's Breakfast Show.

Grelo did a fantastic job co-emceeing  the event along with KCC students, Aaveri B., Hamzah M, and Aluthra G.

Inspiration is Merry Go Round's year-end celebration where first-year Kids, Cops & Computers participants, their Toronto Police Service eBuddies and teachers, as well as corporate supporters and Board members come together to recognize students' achievements and hear motivational speakers.

This year, speeches were made by former Canadian Idol judge Farley Flex, Olympian Rhythmic Gymnast Alexandra Orlando, and Kids, Cops & Computers alumni Ashley Juchawski.

Though each talked about their stories of hardship, and ultimately achievement, all three speakers spoke about one common theme: no matter the obstacles that one may face, success is always within reach.

"We want you guys to be profiled for all the wonderful things you're going to choose and are currently choosing to do,"  explained Farley, emphasizing that each and every student is capable of making a difference and being the change they want to see in the world.

Juchawski's success story proves just that.

Juchawski was selected to be on the Kids, Cops & Computers program thirteen years ago. Much like the students attending Inspiration, she was introduced to the Program in Grade 7 and was provided with a brand-new computer, printer and Internet connection.

Juchawski came from a single-parent home. She saw the struggles her mom would go through to make ends meet and she said if it weren't for Kids, Cops & Computers she would have never been able to have a computer at home.

"Seeing my mom struggle, I always thought I want to make a difference. I want to work hard. I want to be successful."

And Juchawski was. She reigned triumphant against the many obstacles that came her way and is now attending law school in the U.S.

"You are going to hear 'no, and you're going to have people not believe in you, but you have to focus on your goals and you have to move forward," she told the 200 students in attendance, noting that they have all the tools they need to succeed.

"All of you have three things," she said. "You have the Merry Go Round Foundation which has given you the resources - the computers and the Internet - to connect yourself with anything and anyone in the world and any program you want."

The second resource you have, continued Juchawski, is that "you are linked with the Toronto Police, so you have access to amazing role models and they all believe in you."

"The third thing that you all have is your dreams. Focus on what you want, what you always wanted to do and follow it. Have that big dream; keep pushing for it and it'll come through," she said.

Keynote speaker and Olympian Alexandra Orlando's determination to excel and push for her dreams lead her to become the only athlete from all of the Americas to achieve an Olympic berth, and the first Canadian to make a final at a World Championship in 22 years.

Those attending Inspiration found out that her road to success did not come easy, either.

Even at a young age, it was apparent that Orlando was a talented gymnast . At thirteen years old, she built herself a name as being Canada's National champion and was asked to compete in Europe. The fact that she couldn't afford the trip did not stop her from attending.

"I had a community of people that rallied behind me, much like you guys have. I knocked on doors in my neighbourhood and we pleaded for help," explained Orlando.

"It's okay to ask for help when you're struggling...It's okay to ask questions and rely on people," she told the audience.

Orlando's second obstacle came three years later when she missed competing in the Olympics by one-tenth of a point.

"I was devastated and I went home and I was a miserable sixteen year-old teenager. I wanted to hate the world and give up. I screamed and I cried and did all that stuff that you're not supposed to do," she said.

Ultimately, however, Orlando did not let this obstacle stop her from doing what she loves most-gymnastics.

She started training again--this time not for the Olympics, but for herself, and in 2008 she competed in the Beijing Olympic games!

"You really can do something if you set your mind to it," she said, noting that the key to overcoming your obstacles is to keep "pushing and pushing and pushing yourself. That's what it takes," she said.