March 25, 2009
DSBN Student Trustee Recognized for Outstanding Volunteer Service
Emilia Ling is an impressive young woman.
The Grade 12 student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School in St. Catharines is a tireless advocate for positive change, both in her school and surrounding community. For her efforts, the Zonta Club of St. Catharines is recognizing Emilia with the 2009 Young Women in Public Affairs Award.
The award recognizes young women’s leadership, commitment to the volunteer sector and dedication to the advancement of the status of women. The overall goal of the Young Women in Public Affairs program is to encourage more women to participate in public and political life. “The judges found Emilia to be a very driven, outgoing and selfless young woman. Her desire to help others is apparent in everything she does,” said Margo Smith, Zonta Club of St. Catharines.
Currently, Emilia is serving her second year as a Student Trustee with the DSBN. Along with fellow student trustee Alex Ceci, Emilia represents the viewpoints, concerns and constructive suggestions of more than 14 thousand high school students in Niagara. “As a Board we are committed to helping all students achieve success. Emilia makes an invaluable contribution towards that goal, and her viewpoints are well respected around the Board table,” said Kevin Maves, Chair of the Board.
Director of Education Warren Hoshizaki echoed Chair Maves’ comments, and said that Emilia’s work as a Student Trustee has made a great difference in the lives of students at the DSBN, and children across the world. “One of the major projects that Emilia spearheaded was the ‘Dollar for Change’ initiative to collect money to help build a school in a developing country overseas. The fundraiser was highly successful and thousands of dollars were raised to help bring education to children who never would have had a chance to attend school,” said Hoshizaki.
In addition to maintaining outstanding grades, Emilia is also the chief editor of the school’s fiftieth anniversary yearbook, a peer tutor, a school prefect and a member of the gymnastics team.
Outside of school hours, one may find Emilia crunching numbers as the Chief Financial Officer for the Ontario Student Trustees Association, or working to build cultural bridges as an Ambassador for the Chinese Cultural Association of Regional Niagara. To round out an already very full schedule, Emilia also volunteers at Community Care of St. Catharines and Thorold.
“As a young lady, Emilia displays poise, maturity and a social awareness that belie her years,” said Michael Simpson, Principal, Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School. “Her potential for doing great things is truly unlimited.”