2012/2013 TD Scholarship Winners

Alex Vandal-Milette
Cégep de Sorel-Tracy,
Ste-Victoire-de-Sorel, QC

Wanting to eliminate the inequalities between North and South, and to promote the values of respect, fairness and social justice, Alex launched a fair trade project in his CEGEP. This Magasin du Monde was the first fair trade store of its kind within the Quebec CEGEP system. With support from Oxfam, the business has been successful and has become a model for three similar stores in other colleges.

Alex is also the president of his student association and serves as a written French tutor. Last fall he organized the regional political debate in his riding. His love of literature prompted him to start a virtual book club that has drawn 50 members, and to sponsor the very first Quebecois Roblès Literary Award reading committee. His commitment has been rewarded with the Governor General’s Medal for Youth. Alex would like to become a lawyer, political journalist or also a professor.

Anne-Lou McNeil Gauthier
Collège André-Grasset,
Montreal, QC

Conscious of inequalities in society, and how a child’s surroundings can impact their development, Anne-Lou became a mentor to an immigrant child through the Kouzin-Kouzine Program. As a Quebecker of Chinese origin, Anne-Lou saw the value of helping newcomers integrate into society to reduce their isolation. Through movies, museum visits and other activities, she helped the girl discover the beauty of her new country, while breaking down cultural barriers.

Anne-Lou also sees how youth mobilization can support international development. She founded an Oxfam committee, and convinced her classmates to become more involved through music, art, fashion and creative writing. Anne-Lou is a secondary school dance student; she is active in her students association and volunteers in a hospital. She is considering a career in medicine, international law or literature.

Crystal Gao
Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute,
Toronto, ON

Crystal is driven to show youth what they can achieve if they apply themselves to issues they care about. To help students impact policy-making in the education system, she ran as Conference Chair of the Toronto District School Board SuperCouncil. Later elected as Vice President of the board-wide group, she organized conferences to inspire youth representatives and develop their leadership skills.

Crystal is committed to gender equality and girls’ rights and founded a supportive community for young women at her school that held workshops on self-defence and work/life skills. She also participated in Plan Canada’s Because I am a Girl Speaker Bureau and co-created a documentary film about the sexualisation of women in the media. Crystal will study international relations and hopes to be a lawyer, politician or diplomat.

Daniel Skanes
St Kevins High School,
Goulds, NL

Since joining the local Allied Youth group as a junior member, Daniel has risen to the positions of Post Treasurer and Post President, organizing food drives, charitable fundraisers, youth dances and volunteering initiatives such as carolling at a local seniors complex. As Vice President of the Provincial Executive, he supports other Allied Youth chapters and delivers leadership training to help youth across the island reach their true potential.

Daniel was elected Vice President of his Students’ Council and formed his school’s first ever Social Justice Club, to promote a non-judgemental environment where students can feel welcome and accepted. He is also a tutor, a member of the school concert band, choir and the Eastern School District Band. Being involved in his school and community are very important to him; he takes pride in knowing that he has made a positive impact on his school and community. Daniel would like to achieve a career in business, law or education.

Hailey Samm Laxer
Dawson College,
Montreal, QC

After receiving a liver transplant in 2009, Hailey has shared her own personal experiences dealing with a chronic illness to mentor young patients and their families who face the challenges associated with the disease. She is a results-driven fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Canada and is a frequent public speaker and performer at benefits, in order to raise discussion of organ donation.

Since discovering a love for politics and international affairs, Hailey has become Executive Secretary of the Model United Nations club at her college and organizes events, membership campaigns and trains new delegates. She also founded the first political club at her college to promote politcal awareness and voting among students. Focused on studying political science and public administration, Hailey sees her future as a politician, lawyer or singer/songwriter.

Hoda Mahdi
Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School,
Markham, ON

Based on the belief that a smile from a stranger can give hope or change someone’s future, Hoda founded Smiles that Save Lives. This school club helps youth overcome bullying, enables them to share their stories of hardship and personal challenge and overcome loneliness. The club encourages all students to care for others, through workshops, by publishing booklets and through a documentary film that shows student life experiences. Trained in suicide prevention and crisis intervention, Hoda has mentored junior leaders to continue the club and to expand its philosophy beyond her school.

Hoda also works part time, is an avid soccer player and youth coach. She would like to be a nurse and contribute to mental health care.

Innosar Issakiark Biography
John Arnaludjuaq High School,
Arviat Nunavut

Innosar discovered a knack for arts and multimedia in school drama club productions, where he assumed lead roles, including a performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller at a variety show. He became a student member of the Arviat Film Society, to build new skills and to give other youth positive messages about healthy relationships, substance abuse and mental illness.

While suicide prevention and other community awareness campaigns are central to the Film Society, Innosar also instils fun in his Hudson Bay community, by organizing children’s movie nights in a town with no theatre, helping remodel and optimize the sound system in the community hall, and encouraging young people to learn skills at the Kivalliq Youth Trade Show. Innosar would like to become a heavy equipment operator, electrician or mechanic to support economic and community development in Arviat.

Jessica Peters
St Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School (Mississauga),
Brampton, ON

When Jessica first heard the Ecuadorian term “Minga,” she was instantly drawn to the concept of community members gathering to complete a task for the benefit of all. Surprised to learn that no similar word exists in English, she formed a Minga club in her school with the motto of helping others just because.

Signing up 50 members, the group held monthly projects including food drives and fundraisers for health care in Ecuador and Kenya. They have focused on supporting the Free The Children foundation to address child labour, exploitation and poverty overseas. Jessica also coaches cheerleading at a local middle school and serves as a Prefect and Athletic Council member. She seeks a career in marketing or law.

Jocelyn Davis
Western Canada High School,
Calgary, AB

To support her interest in youth empowerment and international development, Jocelyn saw how community groups must become strategic fundraisers and attract committed donors. She co-founded The 8th Rung, a youth group dedicated to social justice and international causes, and introduced a unique funding model. By forging youth-adult partnerships, The 8th Rung challenged other student groups with bold matching fund campaigns. This approach currently funds clean water systems in Southeast Asia and supports the Nichola Goddard Foundation to install solar lighting for first aid/birthing stations in Papua New Guinea.

Jocelyn is also a youth ambassador for Volunteer Calgary, YMCA Calgary and the Famous 5 Foundation, and for five years she has been distributing hampers at the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank. She would like to work in the third sector or in international development.

Kathleen Irwin
Oakridge Secondary School,
London, ON

Observing how developmental education students were marginalized from mainstream student life in her high school, “K.T.” founded Best Buddies Oakridge to improve inclusiveness. The group encourages friendships between students with intellectual and developmental disabilities and other students. K.T. also lobbied to ensure that these students were included in extra-curricular activities including Student Parliament, school shows and the Prom.

K.T. is also active in student government, leads the Oaks Serves club to assist disadvantaged and homeless youth, and helped create an anti-bullying mentorship group while on exchange in Australia. She enjoys arts and sports, including youth choirs, musical theatre, swimming and horse-back riding. K.T. would like to study integrated science, towards a career in pediatrics, psychiatry or clinical psychology.

Kush Thaker
Bill Crothers Secondary School,
Markham, ON

Combining his passions for student voice and youth engagement, Kush created “CanYouth”, an online forum that gives young writers leeway to share their ideas on topics ranging from education, politics and to life as a teenager. As well, he has been a member of the Markham Mayor’s Youth Task Force, an organization that develops local events and initiatives to contribute to a vibrant youth culture in Markham.

Serving 116,000 students of the York Region District School Board as a student trustee, Kush worked with his local student senate to connect with youth who are disengaged. Kush also represents Future Possibilities for Kids, an organization he was involved with as a child, to corporate partners and funders.

He plans to study systems design engineering.

Mackenzie Martin
McNally High School,
Edmonton, AB

With her deep interest in girls’ health issues, encompassing education, physical literacy, the plight of child brides around the world and the media’s impact on girls, Mackenzie organized an all-day conference to mark the United Nations’ first International Day of the Girl. After securing funding, speakers and partner groups, the conference drew a provincial premier, federal cabinet minister, 1,200 students, and online participants from Asia and South America.

Also serving as the chair of human rights on her student council and a tutor to pregnant/parenting teen mothers, Mackenzie’s interests extend to music, ballet, hip hop and theatre. Her ambition is to work in health policy or public health.

Madlen Nash
Gulf Islands Secondary School,
Salt Spring Island, BC

Passionate about educational change and new learning approaches, Maddee wanted to increase student involvement in policy discussions that impacted their education. As a student representative in her district, she recruited her peers to add their voices, forming the Educational Change Task Force, and creating a dialogue with educators and politicians at the local and provincial levels.

As Student Council President, she increased student engagement in the surrounding community. She formed a partnership with the Salt Spring Forum, a high profile speaker series on global issues, so that students can participate and gain exposure to international thought leaders. Maddee also volunteers as a facilitator for a youth violence prevention program and works part-time. She is considering a career possibly in neuroscience or social psychology.

Nike Valeus
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Collegiate Institute,
Scarborough, ON

Through his involvement in the YouthLink Pathways to Education program, Nike discovered his inner leadership abilities and a desire to motivate other minority youth in the Scarborough Village community. He started a Broadcasting Club at school, trained students, and produced monthly content to share student events and experiences. The club will continue to help future students discover interests in creative and digital arts.

Nike also formed an African Student Alliance to develop a support network for students of African descent in his community, and to challenge them to overcome stereotypes and achieve personal goals. He is active in his community though volunteer initiatives, athletics and as a peer mediator. Nike will be studying Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson University in the Fall of 2013 and hopes to one day work professionally in the field of audio production and continue to use media to inspire others.

Niyousha Bastani
Handsworth Secondary School,
North Vancouver, BC

Niyousha saw the potential to connect issues such as gender equality, poverty and the environment, to make a positive impact on local social welfare. By co-founding and leading Up, a social justice and environmental club, she organized mentoring for grade eight girls, and food and clothing drives for residents of Vancouver’s downtown eastside. The group also ran a “Recycle That Bicycle” project, to collect and refurbish old bicycles and donate them to economically disadvantaged youth.

Niyousha has also volunteered extensively with the North Vancouver Outdoor School. She enjoys hiking and skiing, and is involved in drama, piano and script writing. She hopes to study law and to pursue a career in journalism.

Rita Steele
King George Secondary School,
Vancouver BC

A dedicated advocate for student voice, Rita joined Vancouver District Students’ Council (VDSC) representing Vancouver public high schools. The first student from her school to serve on the Executive of VDSC and currently Vice President, she has co-organized a Vancouver Riot Forum, anti-bullying press conference, and worked on the VDSC Student Trustees Initiative.

Rita consistently challenges student apathy engaging her school in many district-wide events, initiating participation in Sister-School-Switch, VanCity Idol, and feeds for the hungry.

Rita has co-facilitated workshops for youth on issues such as racism, homophobia and classism through the City of Vancouver’s CitizenU. She served as a leader at a children’s summer literacy camp, is a Teen Mentor with Big Brothers and is volunteering 2 months at a YM/YWCA residential camp this summer.

Rita is motivated by her passion for Human Rights and plans to pursue a career in Medicine or Global Health to find sustainable solutions for international communities.

Sarah “Maddie” Hughes
Northeast Kings Education Centre,
Canning, NS

Active in school soccer, hockey and softball, Maddie saw the need for a sports program dedicated to children with special needs. She decided to take action and over the summer, Maddie founded Mini-Sports. She obtained business sponsors, and recruited teachers, Students’ Council and classmates to participate as peer coaches and supporters of special needs athletes within the program. Based on the club’s success Maddie will meet with resource teachers and school board members in hopes of extending the program across the province.

Maddie is passionate about working with children with special needs; she provides one-to-one inspiration to a special needs child who is hearing impaired. She studied Sign Language to communicate with her Best Buddy and is the Best Buddies program’s co-president. Maddie is a committee leader for various programs within her school, she fundraises for community events, volunteers at a children’s home for special care and works part-time. Maddie would like to study nursing, towards her goal of becoming a physician specialized in pediatrics.

Selin Jessa
Dr. Charles Best Secondary School,
Coquitlam, BC

Hoping to inspire others to take action, Selin co-organized TEDxKids@BC, a youth conference series modelled on the global TED conferences. Encompassing 30 young speakers and 600 attendees to date, the events spur mentorships, youth initiatives in the community, and classroom debates. Selin also organized the first-ever TEDx event in Antarctica while travelling on a Students on Ice expedition. She has since begun co-directing a project to make Antarctica carbon-neutral by 2020.

Moved by her experience volunteering in local shelters, Selin applied her interest in filmmaking to tackle child poverty, creating a short film that called for a provincial plan to reduce poverty. Selin recently undertook a research project on HIV and plans to pursue a career as a scientist. She is motivated by the belief that science can be a vector of positive change.

Shannon Wong
Richmond Hill High School,
Richmond Hill, ON

As a Free the Children ambassador for eight years, Shannon has volunteered in rural China, India, Kenya, and Ecuador to build schools and health care centres. Shannon’s heartfelt goal of “helping youth help others” has motivated her to found three initiatives - Strength in Numbers to encourage community activism, Travel for Hope to inspire global volunteerism, and the Travel for Hope Fund to provide financial assistance to passionate youth for overseas volunteering trips.

Immersed in extra-curricular activities including volleyball, ultimate frisbee, piano, guitar, drums, Chinese fiddle, and art, Shannon is also actively involved in her local community. As a core member of the Town of Richmond Hill’s Youth Action Committee and the Cultural Leadership Council, she is dedicated to engaging youth and promoting diversity and inclusivity. Shannon will be going to Queen’s University for the Accelerated Route to Medical School and seeks a career as a physician working with Doctors Without Borders.

Zachary Julian
Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC),
Truro, NS

A member of the Mi’kmaq Millbrook First Nation, Zachary wanted to provide local youth with productive and positive activities. He worked with a local RCMP Constable to revive the Millbrook Yourh Group. Taking his cue from local Elders, Zachary served as his group’s “Elder,” to fundraise, hold drug and alcohol prevention workshops, renovate the Youth Centre and took part in healing talks for the community. He has received awards for his efforts such as, Chief Noel Doucette Award, Truro Heritage Sport Award and Foundation Builder of the Year Award from Lacrosse Nova Scotia.

Combining his love of lacrosse and First Nations traditions, Zachary founded the Millbrook Warriors, recruiting 22 players and coaches to create the first all-aboriginal lacrosse team east of Quebec. He also held lacrosse camps for younger kids. His effort unleashed fresh community pride and has inspired other First Nations Clubs in the Province. Zachary would like to become a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a Conservation Officer and/or become a Social Worker.