Jaider’s long history of community involvement began with talks on racism and discrimination. As the president of his student council, he spearheaded recycling at his high school while organizing several events. A familiar face at municipal council meetings, Jaider strives to combat political cynicism and develops initiatives to combat financial instability at Cégep. He runs theatre for children and translates for his church.

Clara is in charge of sociopolitical and environmental affairs at her Cégep’s student association, where she runs awareness-raising projects. She completed a research internship for an initiative titled “Caring for Caregivers”, which aimed to improve working conditions in the care sector. Outside of her studies, Clara takes part in an improv league and swims with a master’s club.

Sarah is a member of her CEGEP’s student association, where she helps organize student events to promote and foster a sense of belonging. She also co-founded a financial magazine for young people and works as a volunteer at sporting events. Sarah’s passion for writing, love of jewelry-making, and role as a tutor reflect the depth and breadth of her interests. As a member of the Conseil Jeunesse de Saint-Léonard, she’s actively involved in a number of green transition projects.

Marie-Lou is head of environmental and international affairs for her CEGEP student association, where, among other achievements, she has founded a used book library. She also works for a non-profit agency that helps immigrants integrate into society and the workplace, and has set up a language mentoring service there that she continues to manage. In her spare time, Marie-Lou practises her German and hones her skills in a particular passion—circus arts.

A big sports, movie, performing arts, and literature buff, Émilie likes to express her creativity in a variety of areas. She’s a soccer coach, day camp counsellor, and town library volunteer who loves to teach and share knowledge with others. Émilie is actively engaged at her CEGEP, where she’s taken part in, launched, and organized a number of theatre and film projects. She also has a passion for writing.

Anne-Èva is student association president at her CEGEP, where she set up a community fridge to address food insecurity and waste. She has overseen and managed material and human resources for Collège de Lévis’ Bazar Étudiant, an eco-friendly cooperative that gives school uniforms a second life. Anne-Èva also co-founded the “La Voix des ados” podcast series and has worked as a day camp park supervisor.

The first in his family to attend university, Mbarouk co-founded a school barbershop that gives free haircuts. His captivating poetry slams, which he’s performed at school and in Théâtre Outremont, have been featured on Télé-Québec and the social media page of Quebec’s former education minister. Mbarouk became a soccer camp manager at just 17 years of age and has worked to promote inclusion and combat racism and antisemitism in his high school.

Mishka is vice-president of Citoyenneté jeunesse, member of a provincial youth committee on social and ecological transition, and a student representative on her CEGEP Foundation’s board of directors. She’s a gymnastics and cheerleading coach, a French writing tutor at her CEGEP, and a project manager in her federal MP’s office. Mishka is also involved in and invited to a wide range of political, social, and environmental events, whether regional, provincial, national, or international.

Rosalie Lavoie is starting a bachelor’s degree at Université de Montréal, in the occupational therapy program. Rosalie promotes cross-cultural connection in her workplace in the form of Spanish translation. Throughout the last five years, she worked as a caregiver for an elderly person. As a member of Université de Montréal’s theatre troupe, she took part in a play reading project.

Sarah is the President of the Student Association of her school and she contributes to the development of student life. She is a member of the organizing committee for the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life in her hometown. She is also a volunteer with patients at end-of-life at a palliative care hospice. In her free time, she plays ringette and loves hiking in the mountains.