Adam Wheeler

Adam, originally from Toronto, is a committed activist and volunteer who has worked with initiatives in social justice and equity, youth engagement, anti-homophobia/transphobia, food security, literacy and library programming. To him, volunteering is about more than just completing hours; it's about making a difference in the lives of others and changing the world!

 

Alex Saulnier

Alex lives in Markham Ontario. He’s 17 years old and has always been involved in sports and rec activities in his community. He has been playing hockey all his life and various other sports through school. Alex started volunteering when he was 14 helping out with his younger brother’s minor hockey team in practices and it has continued from there.

 

Arnav Agarwal

Arnav a resident of Mississauga has contributed over 2200 volunteer service hours with 17 organizations and events. He holds six leadership positions and is initiating two school programs. Arnav continues to strive academically and has received various awards. He is a Grade 11 student at Father Michael Goetz Secondary School, who believes in being the change one wants to see in the world.

 

Heather Watts

Heather is eighteen years old from Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Ontario. She is a first-year student at Syracuse University, majoring in Inclusive Elementary and Special Education. Heather is currently a National Aboriginal Role Model through a program within the National Aboriginal Health Organization. This program encourages developing a healthy lifestyle and self confidence to Aboriginal Youth.

 

Julie Harmgardt

Julie originally from Oakville is a first-year student at Queen's University. Inspired by her love for Killbear Provincial Park Julie wrote a 250-page book, Killbear, Thanks for the Memories. The book raised $9,000 to further park initiatives. She is currently busy working on her next Killbear benefit book, entertaining seniors and coordinating a charity fashion show. Julie enjoys tennis and sailing.

 

Laura Konkel

Laura, originally from Toronto is attending the University of St. Andrews studying International Relations in Scotland.  Community service has enriched her life, allowing her to work with veterans, build a Habitat House in Zambia, coordinate charity fashion shows, send new school supplies to Cuba and be a Parliamentary Page. She also has an intense interest in the arts, athletics and debating. She is a past recipient of the Ontario Medal for Youth Volunteers, Canada Day Youth Award and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

 

Lynne Lessard

Lynne is 19 years old and originally from Timmins. She is in her first year at the University of Ottawa, where she is studying International Development & Globalization. Lynne works for www.TakingITGlobal.org, an NGO designed to connect youth activists and to inspire, inform and involve youth in world issues, such as democracy and poverty.

 

McKenzie Clarke

McKenzie, who lives in York Region, attends a specialty dance program at Unionville High School. She is an honour roll student as well as president of her dance council, a trained responder and plays a variety of sports. McKenzie works as a special needs swimming instructor and lifeguard at her local community centre and volunteers through a variety of centres and organizations.

 

Michaela Chen

Michaela, is studying at Western University in London and says “I have been told many things. I have been told clichés like how we are the future generation, and about how apathy kills. However one that I never have and never will forget is that: we are here to start the cause not to finish the dream. We are here to do what we can, whatever that means. That is why I volunteer and that is why I am here".

 

Olivia Thompson-Powell

Olivia Thompson-Powell is a Grade 11 student at Lester B. Pearson Collegiate Institute in Scarborough. She is active in her school community and administration, and is a member of the Black History Month Committee. Olivia is a past member of the Malvern Youth Cabinet, formed to address youth issues in the community.

 

Rohit Mehta

Rohit, who lives Mississauga, is currently studying Environmental Management at the University of Toronto. He brings a multitude of volunteer experience from leading Volunteering Peel, a youth-led organization which provides volunteer opportunities for high school students. The group currently engages a network of over 750 youth across the Peel Region. Rohit is a past recipient of the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers.

 

Simon Harmgardt

Simon is a grade 9 student in Oakville. He developed his unusual talent of juggling into a dynamic show called 'STOP'. Simon especially enjoys performing at organizations catering to special needs children. As co-president of 'Teens Organizing Local Events for Seniors', Simon is instrumental in forging bonds between seniors and teens. Simon loves tennis and windsurfing.

 

Stephanie Chen

Stephanie Chen of Richmond Hill is studying Biology at York University and wants to attend medical school in the future. Amusingly enough, even though she’s studying sciences (and she loves them, really) she’s actually a huge music geek as well. She plays piano and she also sings both solo and with a couple of choirs. She’s a part of an a capella choir called WIBI as well the York jazz choir. Other 'interesting' hobbies include crocheting hats and scarves as Christmas presents, volunteering with Canadian Blood Services, and acting as a CPR instructor.