Jorge Jahzeel Aguirre Avila
Saint-Laurent

Though for some young people, the expression “going back to square one” essentially means the beginning of a new adventure on their video game console, for others these words take on a significance of the utmost importance. This is the case for Jorge Avila, who arrived from Mexico about two years ago with his parents. He had no knowledge of the language of Molière but cherished one dream: to begin a new life in a country where he would have the freedom to live out his dreams. Today, his will, determination and involvement have paved the way towards a remarkable future.

“As soon as we arrived here, my parents told me that I really had to take advantage of every opportunity I was offered to learn and carve out a place for myself. I decided to follow their advice,” recounts - in fluent French - the boy who will be turning 16 in the next few days.

A few months after they arrived, the first opportunity presented itself in the form of a welcoming class at Saint-Laurent high school. This is a kind of multiethnic class where the teaching is geared primarily towards French and a few core subjects and that enables students to join the regular program after a period of two years.

The person in charge of the class remembers Jorge as a good-natured and timid young boy, slightly unsure of himself, but who showed every sign of wanting to take his place. “Jorge is an excellent student. He’s one of the top of his class. He quickly found his place, asserted himself as a quiet leader and started helping others,” recalls teacher Carole Talbot.

When his teachers and the counsellor in spiritual life and community involvement discovered the teenager’s ability to succeed and more importantly to take the initiative, they quickly suggested that Jorge get more involved in the extracurricular activities offered at school. He didn’t need much persuading and, remembering his parents’ advice, seized the opportunity.

One thing led to another and Jorge soon joined his school’s student council, became a member of the Eco-committee and enrolled on the swimming team, while at the same time being named best student athlete at the school with his grade average of 91%. And then there’s his participation in the International Committee, the Arts and Deco committee, the welcoming committee and his contribution to the production of a souvenir video and a yearbook for the students in his welcoming class.

“In Mexico, I was a good student but we didn’t have the chance to get involved like we can here. It’s really fulfilling. What’s more, every time I get involved, I am able to develop my personal qualities, especially my communication skills, plus I get to meet loads of new people,” Jorge enthusiastically asserts.

His quest for positive and tangible results has a strong influence on how Jorge chooses to get involved. For example, he volunteered his services to design eight articles of clothing made from recyclable material that will be presented during a “green” fashion show. When he produced a video about his class, the impact was just as tangible. At first, the students were a little shy but when they saw the final result, they were overjoyed and it really helped bring the students closer together and develop a strong feeling of belonging.

“You can tell that Jorge is truly committed to his actions,” maintains counsellor Dominic Vézina. “He gets involved because he believes and he sees his new life with surprising maturity. Students living in a context such as his and who are as involved as he is are far and few between.”

Because Jorge attends a very multicultural school, he is regularly called upon to act as translator for students like himself who have just arrived and only speak Spanish. Moreover, as he is recognized for his strong sense of responsibility, he was invited to participate in the Cercle jeune citoyen engagé project as activity leader for thirty or so youngsters in Grade 6.

“It’s wonderful to get involved like this. People thank you and you feel as though you are doing something useful. I know that I will always be Mexican but despite my love for my native country, I want to be considered as a Canadian and to contribute to the pride of this country,” he points out in conclusion.

Jorge Jahzeel Aguirre Avila
Saint-Laurent