2013/2014 TD Scholarship Winners

Alannis McKee
Ecole St. Patrick High School
Yellowknife, NWT

Alannis is a leader in supporting marginalized groups in Canada’s north. Inspired by her younger brother with Autism Spectrum Disorder, she formed a youth-driven inclusion program to address bullying of vulnerable students. She also founded a chapter of Best Buddies, to connect mainstream youth and those with intellectual disabilities. As a Special Olympics NWT coach, she engages individuals with disabilities through sport.

Alannis encourages youth to value their unique northern identity, by taking part in traditional Aboriginal games and by serving as a Traditional Cultural Demonstrator with the NWT Youth Ambassador Program. Alannis plans to study engineering, mathematics or medicine.

Dayeon Min
Collège Jean-de-Brébeuf
Pointe-Claire, PQ

Having emigrated from Korea, Dayeon applied her cultural curiosity to integrate into her new society, and she decided to tutor other immigrant children to help them get settled. Believing that it is our shared responsibility to create an inclusive society, she produced a youth theatre and dance production called Bienvenue chez vous! to portray the immigrant experience and raise funds for newcomer agencies.

Dayeon is also focused on international human rights, as a volunteer with Amnesty International and an intern in Equitas, where she helped organize an international human rights education conference. She also started her school’s first Model European Union Conference. Dayeon seeks a career as a lawyer, legal researcher or diplomat.

Emily Sinclair
Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School
Hamilton, ON

When Emily observed how her neighbourhood association was dominated by adults, she decided to create the Crown Point Youth Council. Attracting young participants by holding informal, interactive gatherings to prepare and enjoy food, the council has adopted a local park and hosts regular events. Emily has shared her experience as a community consultant to McMaster University students studying community development.

Emily also serves as a youth soccer coach, guitar teacher at the local Boys and Girls Club, and is president of her school Music Council. She is considering a career as a neurologist or professor and researcher.

Emma-Cole McCubbin
John Diefenbaker Secondary School,
Durham, ON

Seeing the need to improve well-being and morale amongst students who don’t know where else to turn, Emma-Cole co-founded “The Box,” an inviting room in her school for social connection, community partner outreach and peer training. With sponsors to fund room renovations and participation by local mental health agencies, employment, public health and addiction counseling services, the project has attracted attention across the region and been welcomed enthusiastically by students and staff.

In addition to her work as a lifeguard/swim instructor, Emma-Cole is co-president of her Student Council and a past School Board student senator. Emma would like to pursue a career in medicine, teaching or global development.

Evan Wiens
Steinbach Regional Secondary School
Steinbach, MB

Evan faced intimidating obstacles when he tried to create a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at his high school. His school and school board barred him from advertising the club. Meanwhile, his conservative hometown was opposed to provincial anti-bullying legislation that would force schools to accommodate GSAs. Evan convinced his school board to allow GSAs to advertise like any other student group, and his club now meets weekly and hosts fundraising events.

Believing that positivity will always outweigh negativity, Evan has emerged as a youth leader for LGBT* rights and served as Honorary Grand Marshall of the Pride Winnipeg Parade. Evan plans on studying political science and one day attaining public office.

Francis Tuntu Asajile (Asheri)
Ajax High School
Ajax, ON

Immigrating to Canada from Tanzania, and the youngest son to a single mother of four, Francis appreciates how mentors at the Ontario Education Leadership Centre gave him direction. Deciding to provide other youth with similar inspiration, Francis spearheaded the EmpowerME mentoring program at his school, matching grade 12 leaders with grade nine students.

In addition to his work as a leadership counselor and the Prime Minister of his high school, Francis represents more than 70,000 students as the elected Student Trustee at the Durham District School Board. He would like to study business and become a management consultant, marketing director, or motivational speaker.

Freya Kellet
Okanagan Mission Secondary School
Kelowna, BC

Freya’s passion for food security and environmental issues led her to start a school garden to inspire other students to grow and eat local. Freya motivated diverse groups from the school to support the garden, attain district approval and produce their first successful harvest.

Freya was also instrumental in creating a three-day conference on social media and cyber bullying for her school district, educating students, parents and teachers. She also volunteers with a multi-sport program for disabled children and is a candy striper at a local care home. Freya is interested in a career in corporate social responsibility or international development law.

Hugo St-Amant
Collège Laflèche
Trois-Rivières, PQ

Believing strongly in the collective impact individuals can have on others in need, Hugo established a math tutoring centre in his school, seeking out students who normally would not ask for help.

Always looking for new projects, Hugo has helped manage the caisse student store, rising from cashier to director, and has served many posts to revitalize the student government including President. He is active in school arts and events, as master of ceremonies, stage band member and performer in annual musicals. Hugo would like to become a mechanical engineer.

Jamie Whitford
Pitt Meadow Secondary School
Pitt Meadows, BC

Jamie discovered his love for volunteering and supporting other Aboriginal youth when the Youth Futures program provided him with the chance to train as a junior leader and day camp volunteer. Shaking off a rough childhood with the support of his foster family, Jamie channeled his energy into the environment, math and science. He founded A Green-Energy Project at school and designed a green thermoelectric generator to eliminate heat waste in power stations.

Jamie teaches environmental stewardship at the North Vancouver Outdoor School and supports Scouts Canada tree plantings, wildlife restoration and food drives for the homeless. He is considering a career as an environmental or alternative energy engineer.

Mitchell Wootton
Holy Trinity Catholic Secondary School
Courtice, ON

Mitchell created the “Welcome to My Life” youth group when a fellow student expressed feelings of depression and suicidal thoughts. The group provides a safe haven and support for youth to help resolve issues and reduce pressures that can lead to self-harm or substance abuse. Mitchell plans to expand the group to other schools.

Mitchell also supports a local food bank, provides mentorship for younger students, is part of the Tech Crew, and participates in Student Cabinet and the Athletics Committee. Mitchell aims to study geological or mechanical engineering.

Mustafa Ahmed
Jarvis Collegiate Institute
Toronto, ON

Having experienced life in Canada’s largest social housing neighbourhood, Mustafa has defined personal success in terms of helping his community succeed. Finding his voice through poetry, he inspires youth with his thoughts on the minority youth experience, while also leading school theatre and tutoring programs.

As a youth tenant representative on the Toronto Community Housing Committee, Mustafa learned of civic plans to revitalize the Regent Park community. He became a youth committee leader to plan meaningful programming including an arts mentorship program. He also established “Write from Scratch,” which unites Regent Park musicians with professional role models. Mustafa is considering studies in communications, marketing or law.

Nicholas McCullum
Sussex Regional High School
Apohaqui, NB

While volunteering with Food for the Hungry Canada to build a clinic in Guatemala, Nicholas witnessed chronic malnutrition among village children. Upon his return to Canada, Nicholas kept the Central American youth in his heart and founded The Vitamin Project, organizing many fundraising volunteers to provide Guatemalan children with a year’s supply of vitamins.

In addition to his academic and volunteer work, Nicholas is active in high school football and rugby. He is also a talented pianist, supporting school and community productions. Nicholas would ultimately like to serve others as a physician.

Rachel Garrett
South Delta Secondary School
Delta, BC

Observing the rise of homophobia and transphobia in her school, including violence and bullying, Rachel formed a Gay-Straight Alliance club with some fellow students to create a safe space at school. She then decided to present a proposal to the school board to create a district-wide anti-homophobia and anti-transphobia procedure. After persistently building support among administrators, parents and students, the procedure is now mandatory in all Delta schools.

Rachel is active in her school paper and student council, as well as in the theatre department and singing in choral and jazz ensembles. She would like to study journalism, law or political science.

Rebecca Hagos
St. Joseph’s Catholic High School
Windsor, On

As a transfer student, Rebecca saw that there were no spaces for students to speak out on the exclusion they faced due to race, sexual orientation or other issues. She developed Diversity Week, a series of workshops to help students beat stereotypes and form new alliances. Diversity Week is now an annual event and Rebecca has created a Social Justice Club to promote inclusivity year round.

Rebecca serves as a Youth Program Assistant and Youth Ambassador for the AIDs Committee of Windsor and advocates for sexual health among the African, Caribbean and Black communities. Rebecca would like to work for an HIV/AIDs prevention organization, become a journalist or develop public policy.

Rohan Nuttall
Strathcona Composite High School
Edmonton, AB

Rohan is inspired by empowering youth to feel like they can make a difference. He works on projects with the Old Strathcona Youth Society to support marginalized young people, and boosted participation in SconaServes, his school’s volunteer network.

He is editor-in-chief of The Young Wanderer, an online newspaper to showcase the thoughts of Canadian students. Rohan founded HearMyVoiceGreenland to advocate for public consultation on extractive industries in the Arctic, and the Alberta Youth Council on the Environment to advance learning on energy and sustainability. Rohan is eyeing a career in biotechnology or political affairs.

Sam Harrison
Prince of Wales Secondary School
Vancouver, BC

Believing that government must take action on climate change, Sam engaged fellow students in politics to make the environment a priority among voters. As director of Kids for Climate Action, he rallied students across the Greater Vancouver area through non-partisan flash mobs, bike rides, strategic canvassing and letter writing during the 2013 BC election. He also led a high school campaign to oppose the expansion of Vancouver’s thermal coal exports.

Sam has presented to school groups, trained peers to lobby for environmental concerns, and spoken before large audiences to inspire others to take political action on climate change. Sam hopes to study engineering with a specialty in clean energy systems.

Sawini Fernando
Charlottetown Rural High School
Stratford, PEI

Seeing few resources in her community for immigrants like herself, Sawini worked with close friends to create a club to help international students adapt to life on an Island where most residents are of European descent. Through meetings, social gatherings and volunteering activities, she has helped many newcomer youth feel like they fit into their Canadian surroundings.

Sawini also volunteers at a local soup kitchen, a nursing home, as an English tutor for adult immigrants and as a buddy to special needs students. Sawini strives for a career in medicine, as a surgeon or cardiologist.

Shericka Hepburn
Weston Collegiate Institute
Toronto, ON

Witnessing gun violence and drugs around her inner city school, Shericka chose to mentor her peers and steer them in a positive direction. As president of the African Canadian Leadership Committee, she challenges black youth to pursue education as a way out of poverty, through tutoring, charity sports events and field trips. As a founding member of Weston Against Harm Movement, she trained as a Restorative Practice facilitator to help find community-based solutions to societal issues.

Beyond her work on Student Council, Shericka is a starting player on her girls’ basketball team and she served as manager of the senior boys’ basketball team. Shericka’s career interests include sports broadcasting, acting or entrepreneurial banking to create opportunities for the less fortunate.

Shivani Mysuria
Cariboo Hill Secondary School
Burnaby, BC

Passionate about youth engagement, Shivani founded PLAY (Positive Leisure for Autistic Youth), a sports program for autistic youth and their families to improve active participation and inclusiveness in the community. The program also inspires girls with autism to become more confident by participating in activities such as bowling and baking. Shivani is also involved with the Rec ‘N’ Read program at local elementary schools to help children who struggle with their reading.

At school, Shivani takes part in Student Government and Youth Action Committee (YAC). Most recently, she helped organize Operation Med School, a medical conference for students and volunteers. Shivani hopes to pursue a career in medicine and become a pediatrician.

Zameer Bharwani
Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute
Toronto, ON

With a desire to create something new, Zameer first set his sights on brightening his school’s drab gray ambience. He proposed a mural project, organized by a student Art Council, and rejuvenated the chess and table tennis clubs.

After a mentorship experience where he met dementia patients, Zameer founded the Initiative for Neuroscience & Dementia (IND), the only student-run group dedicated to community education, fundraising and direct patient interaction. IND has spread to eight high schools, has 300 members across Canada and raised $10,000. Zameer is working to incorporate mental health education into the high school curriculum. He would like to study nanotechnology engineering.