The Merit Award Bursary Program provides bursaries to senior high school students as an incentive to stay in school, recognizing those who demonstrate a commitment to their school work, extra curricular activities and communities.

The Merit Award Bursary Program was started in 1996 by a group of Toronto residents. They felt it was important to support and encourage high school students to stay in school. The late Mr. Justice John Sopinka of the Supreme Court of Canada was the first Honourary Chair of the Program, which is administered entirely by volunteers.

The first bursaries were awarded to 20 high school students in the former City of York in the Fall of 1996. The Program was expanded to include the former Borough of East York in 1997. In the most recent round of awards [Spring, 2012], the Merit Award Bursary Program awarded 150 bursaries to students at 45 specified secondary schools across Toronto.

I was honoured to be one of the recipients of the $2,000 bursary as well as being the keynote speaker, speaking on behalf of all the students who won something that night. This is the second time that I’ve been awarded this bursary and still cannot get over how AWESOME it is, literally helping over thousands of students with their education.

In one of the photos is a myself with the other recipient from my school, Amir as well as a photo of myself and my mom!

I am also apparently a poster child for the Merit Awards..

http://meritaward.ca/about-us

55 Division CPLC Youth Scholarship Program

The 55 Division CPLC Youth Scholarship Program are presented to young people, between 15 and 18, who have combined academic excellence with outstanding volunteer service with the 55 Division community.

Featured in their article:

Camille Natale Award

Each year the District Human Rights and Political Action Committees from the Toronto District School Board solicit nominations of students by their members. Student winners are celebrated for excellence in activism in the areas of human rights, social justice and/or political action at a dinner event held in their honour.

This is the following criteria:

• worked directly to address issues of peace, social justice, human rights or
• equity in the school, local community or beyond
• advocated for the human rights or equity of an individual or group
• worked to bring groups in conflict together for resolution
• inspired others toward involvement in human rights & social justice

I was honoured to be awarded the Camille Natale Award for my work in human rights and social justice. I had the honour of being able to speak to everyone at the awards ceremony. 

Toronto Rotary Youth Civic Leadership Award

I was awarded the Toronto Rotary Youth Civic Leadership Award by the Toronto Rotary Clubfor sustained leadership, initiative, involvement, engagement and voluntary contributions aimed at creating positive change within the GTA community, and dedicating service above self.

Pictured are the other winners, left to right, Aaron, myself, Patricia and Zumer. In the other photos is (at the time), Minister of Children and Youth Services, MP Eric Hoskins and the other photo is myself with (at the time) Chief Bill Blair.

Future Aces Citizenship Award

Founded in 1987, Future Aces awards scholarships and citizenship awards to young people across Canada. Awards are given to students who exhibit exemplary citizenship qualities as represented in the Future ACES Philosophy: Attitude, Ability, Action, Achievement, Co-operation, Courage, Confidence, Education Empathy, Example, Service, Sportsmanship; extensive community service, volunteerism and commitment to humanitarian causes; provide evidence of the potential for success.

I've personally been a volunteer with Future Aces since 2011 through their ACES leadership conference. I believe in the empowerment of young people and turning our next generation into leaders. In May of 2011 I was awarded the Future Aces Citizenship Award. 

Zonta International Young Women in Public Affairs Award

In 1995, when the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted, the global average proportion of women in parliament was just 11 percent. Today, women hold 22.7 percent of seats in the world’s national parliaments as of 1 December 2015. Although this figure has doubled in the last 15 years, many barriers remain to women’s political participation and gender parity in political representation across the globe. Recognizing that to bring about sustainable changes that benefit all of humanity, women must have equal participation in the decision-making process, Zonta International established the Young Women in Public Affairs Award in 1990.

The Award recognizes young women, ages 16-19, who demonstrate superior leadership skills and a commitment to public service and civic causes, and encourages them to continue their participation in public and political life. To learn more, please contact a Zonta club near you.

This is from when I was awarded Zonta Club of Toronto’s Young Women in Public Affairs Award. I was awarded it through my involvement in politics and my community. I wasto sit and talk with lots of business women and learn about the things they do.

I later went on to be awarded the Zonta District 4 Young Women in Public Affairs Award and then one of five around the world to be awarded the International Award.

I had these kind words said about me on their website as well as their facebook:

I was also featured in a couple news outlets, including the Beach Metro ...

...and the East York Mirror/Inside Toronto.

My old high school event put up a post!