Guided by an unrelenting commitment to greater social justice, Samir Hussain, a medical student at McGill University, chose to follow a non-traditional path. Samir helps marginalized members of society by working to improve their access to adequate healthcare and defending their rights. In addition to writing articles and giving lectures, he has increased his actions in aid of the underprivileged by becoming involved with the Salvation Army, organizing McGill's Humanity for Hope event, coordinating the 24-Hour Famine activity and helping to set up the Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement. The recipient of numerous scholarships and awards (such as the Scarlet Key Award, which he won recently, and the Students’ Society of McGill University Award Distinction), Samir has also distinguished himself as a member of the admission committee of the Faculty of Medicine, a participant in the McGill Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service and a member of the 2003 Class-Action Chair for the conferment of degrees on medical students.
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Harmonizing life with the rhythms of her violin, Marie-Claude Gaudet draws from her musical talent inspiration and enthusiasm which she wants to transmit to all those around her. A student of pre-school and elementary education at the Université du Québec à Rimouski, she is a member of the Estuaire Symphony Orchestra and a participant in early-learning musical workshops for children aged four to six. In 1998, this 25-year-old woman co-founded the Camp musical du lac Matapédia with three other musicians. Since then, she has been both a teacher and president of the camp's board of directors. Concerned about the success of children, Marie-Claude also works as a volunteer for the Pro-Jeune-Est organization where, in addition to being a musician in fund-raising activities, she helps an underprivileged boy in his personal and academic development. In a desire for doing more for her region while continuing to pursue her musical activities, she plans to take a Master’s degree in Orthophony, filling an obvious void in this field and thus increasing her support for young people who are experiencing difficulties.
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Claudine Michèle Desjardins’s dream is to work as a resource person for the integration of refugees into sustainable development programs, mostly in African and Arabic countries. It's a humanitarian ambition to say the least and one that well reflects the boundless confidence and determination of this 22-year-old political science student from the Université de Montréal. Having visited no less than 16 countries over the past five years (including Poland, Spain, Slovakia, as a participant in Chantiers jeunesse, and New Zealand, in a cultural exchange), Claudine’s enthusiasm is unrelenting when it comes to helping underprivileged people take a stand and assert their rights. An active participant in the Jeune Conseil de Montréal (city council simulation), she recently took part in a project to develop a micro-credit system for women in a small village in Mali. Since her return, she has participated in the development of Canadian Crossroads International’s policy on gender and development.
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After returning from a recent trip to Thailand where he was a volunteer at a refugee camp, Leigh Sowerby has just completed his fourth year of studies in biochemistry at Bishop’s University. Those years were crowned with success in all respects: commitment, involvement, leadership and academic achievement. As president of Frontier College, for which he contributed to setting up three new tutorial programs, and as president of the Golden Key International Honour Society Chapter, he has demonstrated the character and conviction of a person of action. The recipient of numerous awards and scholarships, Leigh was also a representative for the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division, helping to create the Graduate School Library, to set up a mentoring program for students and to design and implement two new biochemistry programs. A journalist for the student newspaper, a volunteer at blood-donor clinics and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Board, Leigh doesn't just set objectives, he acts.
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Whether it's as head of recruiting with the Bishop’s Commerce Society, vice-president of the Golden Key International Honour Society or a journalist for her student newspaper, Jacquelyn Novak always seizes an opportunity. Generous with her time, charismatic and determined to overcome all obstacles, this student in international business administration at Bishop’s University has demonstrated her social commitment by teaching the visually impaired at the St. Mark's Chapel's Sunday School and as a volunteer at the university’s art gallery. With a certificate in European Management from the École supérieur des sciences commerciales in Angers, France, she is also a member of the International Business Casa Competition university team and a representative on the establishment’s student council. An accomplished athlete, Jacquelyn founded (and is captain of) Bishop's women’s volleyball team. She has also represented Canada on an elite softball team at international competitions.
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To live a healthy and happy life was the objective Martin Leduc set, not only for himself, but for all those who believe in it. On completing his studies in kinesiology at the Université de Sherbrooke, Martin took up the challenge of gradually improving the world in which he lives. He discovered the virtues of student involvement upon his arrival at the university and turned it into a true passion. As a member of the board of governors of the Université de Sherbrooke and of his student council (FEUS), as well as of the follow-up committee of the internship and employment services and the student entrepreneur club at his university, he is also president and founder of the Jeux de l’entrepreneuriat organization. Furthermore, he is president of the physical education student association and founder of the Quebec association of kinesiology students. A high-calibre athlete, he defended the equality of all members of the Vert et Or while on the Athletic Committee and succeeded in sharing his vision during an internship at the Secretariat of State for Amateur Sport by creating a pilot project for social intervention through physical activity.
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In addition to being on the Dean’s honour roll and receiving an award of distinction for the excellence of her grade average, Catherine Jobin has obtained merit scholarships from both the Rose Daoust Duquette Foundation and from the Canadian Centre for German and European Studies which were awarded with the goal of participating in a study seminar on relations between the State and the economy taking place in France, Germany and Quebec. She is currently working towards a specialized degree in international studies at the Université de Montréal, a multidisciplinary program she chose in order to better understand the realities of the modern world and, more importantly, to play a key role in it. Catherine's social commitment led to her participation in an international cooperation internship in El Salvador in 2002, where she aided in the rebuilding of houses destroyed by an earthquake. She is also a volunteer of Marche 2/3 (a solidarity march for youth), the university’s intercultural week and the United Way. Furthermore, she is a French tutor and an active member of her departmental assembly. She has participated, too, in Parlement jeunesse du Québec.
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With a passion for science, which she admits has given her a broader outlook on the world, Louise Hénault-Ethier studies biology (with a specialization in ecology) at Concordia University. The recipient of several scholarships for academic excellence, this young woman was recently elected co-president of the student association of Concordia’s Science College. In collaboration with students from other disciplines, she participates in various extra-curricular activities within the association, helping to expand her critical mind and widen her knowledge. A member of the Sustainable Concordia Project, she is involved in a pilot research project on sustainable development in composting. She also furthers her commitment to her community by working as a volunteer biology consultant for the Association des citoyens pour l’aménagement du parc du Boisé-de-Saint-Sulpice. As a volunteer (she was a judge at the Bell Expo-Science fair), a high-calibre athlete (she finished eighth at the 2000 World Cup of Skateboarding), a science-column writer or a Cub-scout leader, Louise always strives for nothing less than excellence.
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Geneva Guérin has completed a double major in political science and communications at Concordia University and shows a keen interest in social justice. She puts that interest into practice every day in activities both in the community and on campus. Elected twice to the arts and sciences committee of Concordia’s student association and as vice-president of external affairs, she recently distinguished herself by setting up the Sustainable Concordia Project. The project's aim is to improve the ecological, economical and social environments of the campus through the concerted efforts of the university community. Highly active in organizing discussion groups and heightening public awareness of social issues, Geneva also participates in a bi-weekly radio show on CKUT Radio McGill, plays on the Concordia soccer team and devotes time to the Le Frigo Vert organization, and she does all this while managing to maintain academic excellence.
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