Naomie Léonard
École secondaire Polybel

There are certain individuals who, upon entering high school, decide they want to leave their mark, a bit like a shooting star that lights up the sky when passing overhead. At Polybel high school in Beloeil, the name of this shooting star is Naomie Léonard. As an active member of nearly all the committees, the Secondary 5 student always accepts the challenges offered to her with enthusiasm and conviction, devotes herself wholeheartedly and has succeeded in setting herself apart through her contagious energy, her steadfast determination and, more importantly, her commitment to her peers.

Among the some 1,200 students at Polybel, there aren’t many who can’t put a face to the name Naomie Léonard. Of course, being the president of the entire student body provides a bit of exposure. But that’s not even the half of it. She also plays an active role on the Établissement Vert Bruntland and Amnesty International committees, and is a member of both a peer support group and the organizing committee for the school blood drive.

“Naomie shows great leadership, is highly creative and has good organizational skills, and we mustn’t forget her sound reasoning and ability to defend a cause. She is also blessed with extraordinary determination,” points out Claude Bélanger, counsellor in spiritual life and community commitment.

This determination is perceptible in both Naomie’s eyes and voice. If what she says is anything to go by, nothing seems to daunt her. This is reflected in the fact that, ever since Secondary 2, she has helped organize the Défi têtes rasées event at her school. In 2008, she became the principle organizer and, to set an example, had her head shaved to make a wig. What’s more, she succeeded in personally collecting $2,777 in pledges out of the total $15,200 raised by the thirty or so participants at her school.

Her help in opening a fair trade shop at school called the Magasin du monde is another tangible result of Naomie’s hard work. She is still a member of the board of directors and is proud of the success enjoyed by the shop where students and staff members can purchase chocolate, dried fruit, shea butter and even fair trade clothing.

As a born defender of the environment, Naomie greatly contributed to the development of a composting system at school and a program for recycling used batteries. For her prom, she even took up a challenge called the Je m’emballe autrement project where participants are invited to make their prom dress themselves using 80% recycled materials with a maximum budget of $100.

“I think I’m motivated by nature,” she states quite simply when explaining her thirst for commitment. “I need to feel useful and I want to show people that a small gesture can indeed make a big difference.”

And that’s not all because, as she so aptly puts it, “I’m interested in everything. Social commitment of course, but also the arts, sport and even my studies.” It’s not surprising therefore that she is also involved in the Secondaire en spectacle program, that she was part of the Mosaïque des finissants project or that she managed to secure a role in the musical comedy Grease that was staged at her school. For the past five years, Naomie has also been a member of the Montérégie Senior AS cheerleading squad. However, despite all these activities, it mustn’t be presumed that her grades have suffered. On the contrary, this year Naomie has chosen to take advanced chemistry, physics, mathematics and English, four subjects at which she excels.

“Naomie sets herself apart thanks to the energy she radiates. Her openness and the great ease with which she gets involved bear witness to the type of self-confidence that is gained by repeatedly taking on responsibilities,” adds Mr. Bélanger.

“I enjoy being able to share my passions and informing others about the causes I feel strongly about. When I get involved, I see it encourages others to get involved too. I think that by setting an example, I help them to in turn initiate their own projects. When they show me their appreciation, its simply magical,” concludes Naomie with a sparkle in her voice.

Naomie Léonard
École secondaire Polybel