Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m an IB student at St. Thomas Aquinas CSS in Oakville, ON, and incredibly passionate about advocacy and empowering the communities around me. Throughout high school, I’ve been involved in leading my school’s Black Student Union, as well as our Model UN chapter and Math Club, while supporting our school’s Social Justice Spirit Club as an executive volunteer. Beyond school, I spend a lot of time as a student leader and creative volunteer at my church, as well as creating and facilitating Black Futures, a leadership development program for Black middle and high school students in the Halton region!
What does this scholarship mean to you?
For me, Wolf Scholars is more than just a scholarship, but a way for me to deeply engage with the world around me. I’ve always been someone who loves to have difficult discussions and challenge the way I think, and Wolf Scholars is a unique opportunity that allows me to meet like-minded people, have complex conversations, and one-of-a-kind experiences that broaden my perception of the world.
What do you hope to do after you graduate, and how do you see yourself contributing to your community?
After I graduate, my ultimate hope is to leave a positive mark on the world, no matter how great or small it looks like. Currently, I have my sights set on learning how quantitative methods can be used to shape economic policy, and to understand the impact of those policies on unique groups.
What did you take away from your Shad experience, and did any of those lessons come up during the Wolf Scholar selection process?
My Shad experience at Laurier in 2024 was the first time I had ever engaged in a cohort of students across the country, and it really showed me how a group of people can come from their own unique contexts from far and wide yet still come together and build a community. Even today, I still have friends from my Shad experience who are on the other side of the country! I found this takeaway from Shad to be grounding also in my experience with Wolf Scholars, as we’re a unique cohort of students that come from places scattered across Canada.
What would you want to say to someone just starting the Shad2026 program?
To someone about to start their Shad experience in 2026, show up with excitement and an open mind! Shad will be one of the most unique experiences of your high school years, and you’re going to meet people you likely would have never come across if not for Shad. The month will go by quicker than you can imagine, so savour the experience, form deep friendships with your fellow Shads, and have a lot of fun!