Ready to Shape the Future:
Student Trustee Elections are Coming
MONDAY, FEB. 12, 2024
L
earners across Grand Erie will cast ballots on February 15 in the Student Trustee election to select their representatives for the 2024-25 school year. Three student leaders will be elected, representing the north and south regions of the board, and Indigenous students across the district.
Meet the candidates for Student Trustee:
Indigenous Student Trustee Applicants
'Aidyn' Lyle Hill
Grade 12
Hagersville Secondary School
l am interested in being a student trustee because I want to help Indigenous students voice their concerns, wants, and needs. I have taken on leadership roles here and have been actively engaged in the United Indigenous Student Council meetings, wanting to learn and share my voice. Humility is my basis for my listening and understanding. This is about the voice of not just me but Indigenous students as a whole."
Bella Nydam
Grade 12
Waterford District High School
I have been a representative for my school on both the Student Senate and United Indigenous Student Association since my Grade 9 year. I am also the Chair of the United Indigenous Student Association, meaning that I have experience with a portion of the Indigenous Student Trustee workload. I would like to create positive change within our schools by increasing communication between the upper levels of the school board and the student body, and bring the students of Grand Erie together to create a board-wide sense of community to promote teamwork and networking between schools."
North Student Trustee Applicants
Kelis Daye
Grade 11
North Park Collegiate and Vocational School
As a young woman of colour, I have experienced many obstacles throughout my journey in regard to diversity and representation. As a young Black girl growing up, I did not see leadership roles taken on by women of colour. The role of student trustee speaks to me, as it is my passion to inspire others, as well as future generations. It is my goal to amplify the voices of unrepresented students and use my leadership as a platform to create a more diverse and secure Grand Erie. Unity and collaboration are meaningful to me, as I believe decision making amongst our community is the path to progression."
Nathaniel Felsky-Deelstra
Grade 11
Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
I would be a good fit for the position because I am an extremely motivated person who loves to listen and collaborate with others to improve our public education system, as I do now on the Student Council and Senate. Whether it was participating in my community through events and initiatives or joining as many programs and activities as possible, I knew that I wanted to be a voice for my peers and someone who could be trusted to do the right thing."
Alae Mebrouk
Grade 11
Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
I have been an active member of the BCI community, and have developed strong leadership, communication and organizational skills that I believe will be valuable assets. As a student trustee, I would be committed to representing the interests of my fellow students and working collaboratively with other student trustees to help organize initiatives and events that will benefit the district. I am particularly interested in making minorities feel more comfortable in the school, making school events and trips more affordable, and finding ways to help reduce student stress."
Caitlyn Shields
Grade 12
Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School
As student trustee, I will devote my time to ensuring that the opinions of students from all different groups and cohorts will have their opinions listened to and considered. I feel very strongly about creating a diverse, inclusive, and safe environment in Grand Erie. I have been a Student Council member for four years with positions including Grade 9 Rep, Minister of Communication, Deputy Prime Minister, and Prime Minister. Before high school I was on my elementary council as well. I have spent many hours of my time volunteering, running events, and communicating with authority figures through council."
Prabhsidak Singh
Grade 10
Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
As a Punjabi Sikh, I would be the best fit to represent the northern part of the board with the evolving multicultural community, as I can best relate to them and express their opinions. Participating in the International Villages Cultural Festivals (Indian Village) has honed my community service skills and cultural awareness. I am a volunteer and a performer. I am eager to leverage my leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and time management skills to serve as a student trustee, where I will strive to represent the interests of my fellow students with passion and integrity."
South Student Trustee Applicants
Demetrius Bozek
Grade 10
Delhi District Secondary School
I am applying for the role of student trustee to make a difference in my school community and at the board level. I strongly believe that making a difference is possible and that all students should have a voice in the board’s procedures. I have always been a strong advocate for equality and fair opportunities for all, as I have been a member for the past two years with the Student Council at Delhi District Secondary School. I am a dedicated individual that is highly interested in making our schools better places for all. I personally believe that anything is possible when we learn, lead and inspire others around us and in our communities."
Leah Holmes
Grade 12
McKinnon Park Secondary School
I believe I would make a perfect fit to be able to represent the student voice due to my community involvement and my ability to work in a professional setting alongside the school board superintendents. I believe it is extremely important that the students have a voice in their school board. The reason I am so passionate about this is because my involvement as vice chair of the Haldimand County Youth Advisory Committee has shown me the importance of youth being able to have a voice within their community."
Kiana Littlemore
Grade 11
Simcoe Composite School
I have an interest in this position because I would like to help the students within our school board. I am very big on helping others and making changes and differences that will benefit large groups of people and have long lasting effects. I would like to bring students' ideas to the board and help improve the schools in our board one step at a time. I have an initiative that I believe would benefit the student body of Grand Erie immensely, and by being a student trustee, I can put this initiative into action."
Gregory Martin
Grade 10
Delhi District Secondary School
Creating a positive and thriving school environment, one where people feel they can belong and have a purpose, requires strong leaders. My mission is to see this vision realized in our community. I do everything to the best of my ability, ensuring high standards for the work I produce. I love a challenge, and I am eager to fulfill the position as a student representative. I am goal driven and ready to do all the hard work required, and more, to make a positive impact in the school environment. I want to give my utmost support to the school board and make the 2024-25 school year the most successful one yet!"
Olivia Prince
Grade 12
Cayuga Secondary School
I have been on the student council for four years and plan on continuing for a fifth next year. I have spent this time committed to celebrating and developing an inclusive and connected culture. I have many ideas I’d love to take to the board to talk about. I feel we need to support students by opening more mental health programs and encouraging school leadership and giving students more control at our schools, as I think many feel that they lack a voice, and could help them find purpose in a leadership opportunity. I am extremely passionate to work and improve our school system."
Emily Rice
Grade 11
Waterford District High School
I fully understand the important responsibilities and significance this role entails, and strongly believe that I am a great fit for this position. I have strong communication skills that bridge the gap between students my age and the adults I would be working with. I have a strong sense of justice and yearning for fairness and equity, making me not only a valuable team member, but a valuable leader. I have been the Student Council Prime Minister at my school, an active member of Student Senate for two years, with multiple leadership roles previously and alongside these. I am an excellent listener that helps take ideas from my peers and council members and make them a reality."
Leah Schweyer-Merigold
Grade 10
Cayuga Secondary School
The reason I am interested in becoming a trustee is because I love helping people. I have seen and I have been the student that struggles to keep up in a class because they do not feel like they can ask a teacher or be understood if they do find the courage to do so. Schools need to be more welcoming to all cultures, religions, and other communities. I can be that person who can bring my voice and others to change things for the better."
Oliver Tilson
Grade 10
Simcoe Composite School
I am highly active in my school community as I am on Student Council and all SCS bands attending most of their events. I have a good relationship with teachers and administrators and am friendly, outgoing, responsible, hardworking, and proactive. I connect with my peers easily and I am in a role of leadership within my school. I'm passionate about finding a way to better the high school experience for my peers. In my own school, I see issues affecting the student populace that could be happening in other schools. Not all students who are interested and could benefit from (extra-curricular) experiences are able to afford the cost and this is something that could be rectified."
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