2010/2011 TD Scholarship Winners

Alex Vander Vlugt
Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute
Guelph, ON

Encouraging people to not remain silent when they witness bullying is the goal of Speak Out, a student-run anti-bullying organization founded by Alex. Speak Out holds pink shirt day events and has produced two films to raise awareness of bullying.

Alex is actively involved in his school community, as yearbook editor and student senate past president. He is also a member of a number of committees and associations that advocate for youth on current education issues. He participated in a re-branding of the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association, in order to make trustees more accessible.

With extracurricular activities that include theatre tech, hockey, writing and photography, Alex plans to pursue a career in filmmaking.

Amber Joy Oosthuyzen
J.L. Crowe Secondary School
Trail, BC

For Amber, it is not enough to identify needs, since she feels it’s equally important to find solutions and resources to satisfy them. Amber started “Redefining Beauty,” a selfesteem program for girls for which she secured funding, developed its curriculum and trained trainers. Now other communities are interested in the program.

Amber is active in Air Cadets, and has won the citizenship award for the past four years. As graduation president, she inspired her class to raise money to purchase soccer uniforms for an underprivileged team in Kenya.

A singer/songwriter, Amber often uses her music to challenge people to action. She wants to study international development and eventually work with youth in developing nations.

Anna Fricker
Memorial Composite High School
Groves Point, NS

Motivated by a passion for human rights, Anna was a Canadian youth ambassador for World Vision. After travelling to Africa to witness World Vision projects first hand, she continued to raise funds and awareness for the plight of victims of disease and poverty by speaking in the community and organizing events such as the 30 Hour Famine.

President of her school’s Interact club and local Junior Achievement chapter, she is also active in the arts community and as a volunteer for various causes.

Anna plans to pursue a career in law with a focus on human rights and international affairs, with the goal of eventually working for the United Nations.

Araf Khaled
Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
Toronto, ON

A sarcoma survivor, Araf started the Youth Sarcoma Initiative to raise awareness and funds for the Hospital for Sick Children. He organized a 3K charity walk and created a documentary about the impact of sarcoma on youth. To acknowledge the funds raised for sarcoma research organizations, this group was awarded the Identify and Impact Award from the City of Toronto.

“World Friendship Bridge,” a painting created by Araf, won second place in a global art competition. Araf donated the artwork to a print shop that now uses the piece to generate revenue for a youth shelter. Araf has also been active in his school’s student council. He is currently working with Toronto Public Health to identify health issues concerning younger populations.

Araf hopes to pursue a career in medicine and work at the hospital where he received treatment.

Connor Levesque
Moscrop Secondary School
Vancouver, BC

Following the death of a friend who suffered from cystic fibrosis, Connor founded and leads the Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Club, which has now expanded into the broader community. Connor is also working on a scholarship in honour of his friend and he sits on the Junior Board of Directors for Cystic Fibrosis Canada to raise funds and awareness for CF.

Connor is an Aboriginal Youth Leader in his school and a strong supporter of cultural awareness programs, encouraging Aboriginal youth to take part in traditional teachings and activities.

Seeking a career in medicine, Connor wants to continue to spread awareness about, and to one day find a cure for, CF.

Daichi Ishikawa
Prince of Wales Mini School
Vancouver, BC

Combining his passion for sustainability with his desire to create opportunities for youth, Daichi founded his school’s Student Sustainability Committee, focusing on actionable projects to benefit the school and community.

An alumnus of the 2010 Beaverbrook-Vimy Scholarship Program, Daichi is a Youth Ambassador for the Vimy Foundation. He has also worked with 1STEP, a non-profit organization encouraging sustainability in the snow sports industry, and assists patrollers with patient treatment and ensuring safety on the mountain as a Junior Ski Patroller at Cypress Mountain.

Daichi is an avid skier, enjoys photography, graphic design and traveling. He plans to pursue a career in the Foreign Service or international business.

Dami Dina
Markville Secondary School,
Markham, ON

Dami decided in 2005 that he wanted to promote a more positive image of African- Canadians. He joined the Markham Youth Task Force and began to help plan Culture Shock, a youth conference on the theme of cultural diversity.

A strong belief in environmental causes prompted Dami to organize ecological action conferences that attracted more than 300 area high school students. He also co-founded Youth Volunteer Markham, a website that has linked 200 students with volunteer opportunities in 100 organizations.

Dami is also active in his school’s eco-club, helping to obtain a grant to purchase new recycling bins and begin construction of a green roof to improve energy efficiency.

Édith Gaudreau-Lebel
Collège François-Xavier-Garneau
Saint-Jean-Chrysostome, PQ

Throughout her school year, Édith found time to balance a range of causes that sparked her community spirit. She launched a student-run fair trade business at her high school that offers ethical and eco-friendly products. She also volunteered for six years in a group that assists disabled persons.

At her CEGEP, Édith is a member of an environmental protection committee, Amnesty International, and is an administrator of the student association. She organized an intercultural week that explored the problems of child soldiers overseas and First Nations territorial conflicts in Quebec. Édith also set up her CEGEP’s feminist committee and chaired a student life commission to benefit current and future students.

Halley Devi Roache
Bridgewater Junior Senior High School
Bridgewater, NS

When Halley saw many of her peers abandon their artistic dreams for more conventional careers due to a lack of information and mentors, she organized the Crossroads Career Fair, devoted to the arts. She brought together a diverse group of professionals – from animators and broadcasters to game designers and photographers – who shared their stories, offered insights and inspired many students to rekindle their artistic passions.

Halley also created a website with links to art programs across North America, and initiated the “Peer Mentor Art Program” for local elementary school students, designed to foster imagination and creativity.

Halley plans to pursue a career in animation, writing and filmmaking.

Jacques-Arnaud Vanier
Collège Lionel-Groulx
Mirabel, PQ

Wanting to play a real part in changing his world, Arnaud is involved in a number of community organizations with a focus on humanitarian causes and sports. Arnaud cofounded the Triathlon Coup de Coeur, a sporting event that raised funds to send a medical mission to Burkina Faso. He is also a board member and president of the Youth Initiative for Mères-enfants du monde, which provides medical care for women and children suffering from diseases that cannot be treated in their own countries.

In addition, Arnaud is a Young Leader of Children’s Care International, which helps young victims of exploitation and he coaches the Saint-Jerome Special Olympics swim team.

Jessica Janzen
Merritt Secondary School
Merritt, BC

Jessica found a way to combine her love of sport and a desire to give back to the community by participating in Smart Step Youth Association. She recruited and trained youth to run a supervised summer sports program for kids, launched a “Paint Our City Clean” event to remove graffiti, and raised funds for a local women’s shelter.

When local conservation officers were forced to shoot a number of black bears that were feeding on back yard fruit trees, Jessica organized students to harvest the fruit from homeowners’ yards. The edible fruit was donated to the food bank and the rest was composted.

Jessica is active in student council, thoroughly enjoys sports and the sciences, and hopes to combine these interests in her future studies.

Jessie Lilly
Parkland Composite High School
Edson, AB

Passionate about educating youth on current issues and inspiring them to get involved, Jessie developed “Create a Better Future” which later became the Edson Rotary Interact Club. She leads the youth group to fundraise for causes ranging from the local food bank to a school-building project in Thawnwei, Sudan.

In recognition of her achievements, Jessie was awarded the Tom Longboat Award for Alberta Aboriginal Youth. In 2010, she was chosen to be one of four youth ambassadors from around the world to participate in the Impossible to Possible project in the Amazon rainforest.

Jessie competes in triathlons and is active in a variety of outdoor sports. She intends to pursue a career in biology and hopes to help solve some of the environmental and social issues facing the world.

Kate Saunders
Frances Kelsey Secondary School
Cobble Hill, BC

Standing up for what you believe in, inspiring people to do what is right and making a positive change is very important to Kate. As co-founder of Together Against Discrimination Always (TADA), she raises awareness of bullying, racism and equality, and encourages people to celebrate and accept each other for their differences.

In addition to her work with TADA, Kate has helped organize many events for charities and models for fashion show fundraisers. She is a peer counselor and has spoken at local schools about discrimination and bullying.

Kate also enjoys horseback riding, mountain biking and snowboarding. She plans to pursue a career in social work or counseling.

Maggie Balsdon
Bayside Secondary School
Frankford, ON

Hunger issues are the driving force behind many of Maggie’s volunteer activities. She was the co-leader of the first ever “24-Hours- For-Hunger” fundraiser and also chaired the inaugural Halloween for Hunger event at her school, which collected over 1,800 kg of food for a local food bank.

Supporting Canada’s troops is another area in which Maggie devotes her time. She founded “Hearts for Heroes,” sending over 600 Valentines to soldiers deployed overseas, and she has run two successful Support Our Troops events.

Maggie also cares about making her school a safe place, by serving as an anti-bullying representative on the school board. Her goal is to become a primary school teacher and instil the importance of volunteerism in children.

Miranda Dela Cruz
Francis Libermann Catholic Secondary School
Scarborough, ON

Miranda’s drive and passion to help others comes from her belief that you can make a difference by helping 20 people, 10, or even just one person. Her volunteerism ranges from environmental causes and children’s charities, to student government and youth leadership initiatives. She founded the school’s environmental club, which is greening the school property and developing an outdoor classroom.

In 2011, Miranda will participate in Camp Olympia Leadership, a student conference to inspire and educate future leaders. She’ll apply those new skills during an upcoming trip to India during visits to poverty-afflicted towns throughout the region.

Miranda is passionate about the arts and has been dancing for 14 years, competing at various national and international competitions, while also working as a camp leader and dance instructor.

Nathan Whalen
Bishops College High School
St. John’s, NFLD

With his belief that you can accomplish anything with a positive attitude, Nathan has shown leadership in his school and community. As the provincial president of the Allied Youth in Newfoundland and Labrador, he increased youth enrollment in community activities. He also serves as the volunteer coach for the provincial blind seniors’ lawn bowling team and travelled to Israel as a coach/director for Team Canada. An active debater, Nathan represented his province at five national debating championships.

Within his school, Nathan has led student government events including a Green Eggs and Ham breakfast to encourage high school attendance. He also represented the student voice during public consultations on the school board’s school organization plan.

Siobhan Lazenby
William Aberhart High Schoole
Calgary, AB

After spending her grade-eight year volunteering overseas with her family, Siobhan helped raise funds to establish an orphanage in India, where she spent several months. She has also founded a scholarship program, enabling children in Darjeeling to continue their education. Last summer, Siobhan canoed 1,500 km across the Northwest Territories as part of a YMCA leadership trip, volunteering in Aboriginal communities along the way.

Siobhan is very active in her school community, including student leadership, athletics and extracurricular activities such as tutoring, grad committee and the school newspaper. She is also an honour student in an AP French immersion program.

Siobhan plans to study environmental sciences and international development studies at university.

Tiffany Harrington
Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School,
Oshawa, ON

Proud of her Aboriginal heritage, Tiffany passionately advocates for Aboriginal education and has served as Métis Youth Representative at both local and provincial events. Inspired by her respect for elders in the Aboriginal community, she founded the Cross-Generational Exchange, which fosters strong bonds of respect and the transference of knowledge between youth and senior citizens.

Tiffany has also been involved with other local charitable organizations, such as a women’s shelter, the Terry Fox Run, and the Canadian Blood Services. Active in her school, Tiffany is student council president, a student senator and was a member of the Minister of Education’s Student Advisory Council. In addition, she participated in the Model UN, mock trials and in her school`s Me to We group. Tiffany also enjoys writing spoken-word poetry and studying languages.

Trevor Davis
Western Canada High School
Calgary, AB

Firmly believing that public speaking is a critical skill to inspire change, this member of the 2011 Canadian National Debate Team helped revitalize debate at his high school and coached fellow students to make their debate club one of Alberta’s best.

Trevor is active in both his school and with many community organizations. He cofounded a youth group raising funds for sustainable international aid work, and led the negotiations for a 6:1 match for each studentraised dollar with funds from corporations, philanthropists and government.

His involvement at school included performing in the concert band and jazz ensemble, and playing rugby and football. Beyond the classroom, Trevor is a certified ski instructor and scuba diver.

Wei-En Wong
St. Robert Catholic High School
Thornhill, ON

Concern for the environment and a desire to empower those in need led Wei-en to create GigaRams, a school-based computer club that refurbishes used computers and distributes them to underprivileged communities both locally and overseas. Wei-En believes that GigaRams provides useful tools to those who would not normally have access to them, and also benefits the environment by reducing electronic waste.

Wei-En reconditions used computers and collaborates with community groups to identify individuals who would benefit from the rebuilt computers. He then provides skills training to recipients. Wei-En volunteers at the food bank and is active in his faith community.