Committed to raising awareness of the plight of destitute communities

Esteban Salcedo arrived in Canada when he was only 5 years old and grew up sheltered from the political and economic instability of his native Colombia. The Secondary 5 student at Des Sources high school is very proud of his origins and strives to raise public awareness of the plight of the most destitute communities. In order to do so, in May 2008 Esteban set up an extensive salvaging project for used bikes and succeeded in collecting 75 bikes that were shipped to El Salvador. He will be repeating the experience this year and the fruit of his efforts will be sent to Colombia. Moreover, he will be able to pass on his message thanks to an upcoming participation in a United Nations re-enactment.
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Committed to being more open to others by discovering the world

If it were possible, Charles Gascon, a Secondary 5 student at Arthur-Pigeon high school in Huntingdon, would probably spend his whole life travelling, discovering different cultures and learning from these experiences. But when you’re only 16 years old and have to go to school every day, you have to be imaginative to achieve your aims. But Charles knows how to make the most of his imagination. A three-month student exchange with a boy in Prince Edward Island, his involvement with the 4-H Club that enabled him to visit British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, a family trip to Europe, Charles never passes up the chance to quench his thirst for discovery and satisfy his natural curiosity.
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Actively involved at his school so as to integrate well into his new life in Québec

Jorge Avila, a student in the welcoming class at Saint-Laurent high school, arrived from Mexico about two years ago with his parents. He didn’t speak a word of French but cherished one dream: to begin a new life in a country where he would have the freedom to live out his dreams. And the 15-year-old student’s involvement is surprising. With his innate sense of initiative, he joined the school’s student council, the Eco-committee, the swimming team, the International Committee, the Arts and Deco committee, the welcoming committee and many other organizations. The top of his class and a source of inspiration for his peers, he seizes every opportunity to integrate and have an impact on life at his school.
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Committed to realizing his full potential and helping others do the same through volunteer work

Described as a brilliant, enthusiastic, innovative, hard-working and responsible student, Jasmyn Beauséjour, who is in Secondary 5 at the Collège Saint-Sacrement in Terrebonne, is already an imposing individual because of his strength of character and his entrepreneurship. Jasmyn initiated and has coordinated an annual blood drive at his school since 2006, is a volunteer with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada (MSSC) and TEAM (Tous les enfants de l’autre monde), plays the saxophone in the school’s Blues Band and Jazz Band, and last year participated in a humanitarian project in Guatemala.
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Committed to Surpassing Herself and Asserting her Leadership

When the time comes to take on responsibilities, Katherine Paris, a Secondary 4 student at Daniel-Johnson high school, really throws herself into it! Sports, music, studies, volunteer work, travel and even family obligations, there is not a single thing that escapes her. Katherine’s life path is perfectly in tune with the rhythms of the music she performs with brio and her sporting achievements with the school basketball and flag football teams, and her greatest asset is her positive leadership. Blessed with a contagious ability to motivate others, she is a true source of inspiration for all her fellow students and friends.
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