2021 Diversity Scholarship Award Winners

Abdirahman took the Leadership in Training program at Scadding Court Community Centre in the summer after grade 9, and he has been a reliable leader in summer and after-school activities for kids at Scadding Court ever since. He has volunteered as a basketball assistant coach and a supervisor in the computer lab, and he facilitated creative programs during the pandemic. Abdirahman graduated from Harbord Collegiate Institute in 2020 and will be continuing in the electrical engineering program at Ryerson University.

At Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Hanan helped to relaunch the Muslim Students’ Association and worked to keep it active online during the pandemic, with virtual seminars and education on social media. Her other activities at Jarvis included the multicultural club and basketball. After taking the Leadership in Training program at MLSE LaunchPad, she was offered a paid position with the organization, where her work focuses on bringing more girls into sports. This fall Hanan will begin studying global health at York University.

Reka is graduating from Senator O’Connor College School. She volunteered as a camp counsellor and activity facilitator at a summer camp for three years. She will enter George Brown College in the social service worker program.

At Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy, Aamir had an excellent academic record. He has pitched in with gardening, snow shovelling, and spring cleanup at Woburn Village, where he also distributed notices. Aamir especially valued the volunteer time he spent with the Scarborough Muslim Association. He focused on community work, mainly with elderly people. He will study computer science / engineering at Carleton University, starting this fall.

Javeria is halfway through the construction management program at George Brown College. She has already put her skills to use by volunteering to build houses with Habitat for Humanity. As a student ambassador, she encourages under-resourced youth to connect to careers in construction. Javeria is also active in her co-op, which had a serious fire in November 2020. For the next several months she volunteered for the fire walks that were needed because the alarm system was damaged.

While at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Ankita was a community youth activist, working with other youth to tackle local issues such as violence and vandalism. She entered the justice studies program at University of Guelph-Humber and will complete her degree this year. Ankita has been volunteering with children and youth with disabilities, as an online mentor. The instructional dance videos she created for Ability Online support mental health and help members of the site to cope with the pandemic.

Sher led the technology council in his years at R.H. King Academy. In addition to handling tech requirements for school events and sharing his expertise with others, he helped troubleshoot computers throughout the school. All through high school he also volunteered at the Ouma United Muslim Assembly, developing the website and leading youth programming, including sports. During the weekly family nights, he taught the kids how to code robots. He is studying computer science and math at Ryerson University.

After undergraduate studies at Ryerson University, Mohadeseh began a graduate degree in law. As a student caseworker, she helped victim-survivors of domestic violence in York Region. This past year, she volunteered as a youth support worker with the organization 360°kids, supporting children in crisis. She also served as vice-president of a network at Ryerson that helps first-generation law students. Mohadeseh will be entering year 2 of the Juris Doctor program at Ryerson’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law.

Yetimwork was an outreach volunteer for Africans in Partnership Against AIDS. She visited community agencies and gathering places to raise awareness and address stigma around HIV. She also volunteered in a bridging program for international medical graduates at the Learning Enrichment Foundation, and she delivers notices at her co-op. This fall she will enter the personal support worker/pathway to practical nursing program at Centennial College.

Cyesha works at Ryerson University, where she co-chairs the community engagement committee of the Black Faculty and Staff Community Network. Her team develops programming to build community among network members. Cyesha is pursuing a master’s degree in education in social justice at OISE-University of Toronto.

In June 2020 Khalila helped organize the Unity March in Scarborough against racism and police injustice. It was part of her long-time commitment as a leader and mentor with Helping Neighbourhoods Implement Change. Her community development projects with the organization include a food bank and holiday events. She also works on initiatives to improve relationships between the community and the police. Khalila is in a bachelor of commerce program for human resources management at Humber College.

While preparing for nursing studies at the University of Toronto, Honey was active in several campus groups and campaigns. She was president of United Against Cancer, planning and hosting fundraising events, and advocated for menstruation equity as a member of Menstruation Matters. Most recently she was vice president of HerVoice, which works on education and awareness about violence against women and supports shelters. Honey is completing a bachelor of science degree in nursing at Humber College.

Alice is studying media production at Ryerson University. She has joined Enactus Ryerson, a branch of a global student organization that promotes sustainable change through entrepreneurship. In addition to creating social media content for Enactus, she mentors high school students who are creating businesses. Alice also volunteers with TO Thrive as a creative project associate, showcasing artists and creative individuals in the community. In her workplace, she participates in a team that promotes inclusion and diversity.

In her final year at Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute, Tyannah and friends created the Black Student Association, to address concerns about racial issues. She volunteered the year before as a community animator, engaging youth groups and hard-to-reach populations in projects to improve outcomes for local residents. Last summer, with the organization Tipping the Scales of Justice EQUAL, she helped to coordinate meetings with government and political figures to address racism and discrimination. Tyannah is starting a nursing program at George Brown College.

Arianne helped to create costumes for three Caribana parades at the Toronto Revellers Mas Camp. She has been an event volunteer for many years with the Shouters NESBF church. When the church was unable to continue in-person events because of the pandemic, Arianne helped to plan social media outreach. A graduate of Cedarbrae Collegiate Institute, she will begin her final year of health studies at York University in the fall.

Shaemika was a counsellor at a Frontlines camp, where she created activities to boost inclusion and cultural awareness. She helped with the social media programming to mark Humber College’s 50th anniversary. At her church, Shaemika does outreach to bring in more youth and helps out each year with Black History Month events. She also encourages her church community to fight discrimination, particularly against LGBTQ people. She will enter the social service worker program at Humber College this year.

Mahima graduated from Gibraltar Leadership Academy and has been involved in a wide range of volunteer roles. She helped out at Being ME, a large conference aimed at empowering Muslim women, and at gatherings of a university alumni association. She does fundraising for masjids and event support during Ramadan as well as gardening at her co-op. Mahima begins a program in public health at Ryerson University in the fall.

While at Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, Nicole was an all-rounder, involved in sports, tutoring, performing arts, and more. She taught dance at a youth centre and took first place three times at the STOMP urban dance competition. Nicole is most proud of her role as a youth leader at her church, where she has focused on hunger in the community. She plans to become a doctor and will study life sciences at York University, starting this fall.

Throughout her years at Harbord Collegiate Institute, Sawsan belonged to the Whole of Africa and Caribbean Culture Club, helping with events and building cultural awareness. She served on the student council and was involved in anti-bullying initiatives and other social justice work. At Metta, she plans and organizes activities for the social and gardening committees and encourages more youth to participate. Sawsan is starting her second year in French studies and education at York University.

Shay graduated from high school in Israel and is now studying in the University of Toronto’s transitional program in his second language. Soon after coming to Canada, he began volunteering with other newcomers through MCC Toronto, offering friendly support and helping with their paperwork. At a virtual synagogue, he has been active in teaching, leading services, and keeping up a welcoming spirit online. Shay will begin a degree in cognitive science and Jewish studies at University of Toronto in the fall.

Asma was co-president and a driving force of Ryerson Students for Mental Awareness, Support, and Health (SMASH) for two years. She created “This Is My Story,” an event where students shared experiences and offered peer support. While volunteering at Ontario Inter-Culture Community Services, she proposed initiatives to promote empowerment of under-serviced communities. This year she was elected to the board of directors of Neill-Wycik, where she is focusing on sustainability, diversity, and equity. Asma begins graduate studies in psychology at Ryerson this fall.

Onessa is graduating from Thornlea Secondary School, where she had a busy extracurricular schedule. In addition to playing on the rugby team, she raised funds for cancer research through the Relay for Life Team and for disaster relief through the Red Cross club. Onessa has also worked with autistic students at Thornlea as a peer buddy, and she volunteered with kids’ summer programs in her community. She will begin studying for a journalism degree Ryerson in the fall.

Angela is a peer mentor with the Toronto Community Benefits Network, supporting women and members of other under-represented groups to enter the construction industry. Through calls and meetings, she helps mentees with the challenges they face. After working for many years as an early childhood educator with children with disabilities, she transitioned to the construction field last year and will begin an apprenticeship in sheet metal work with Local 285.

During her first year at Central Technical School, Amissa served as a program assistant with The Neighbourhood Group, a multi-service community organization. She helped supervise children’s activities. More recently she volunteered for over a year at Healing As One, a grassroots youth group in Regent Park. She coordinated programming for diverse newcomer communities. Amissa will enter the social service worker program at Seneca College this year.

Tuana is graduating from L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute after four years as a leader in school life. She served on the student activity council and as president of the Equity and Student Voice Committee, organizing events and activities to promote social justice, and encouraged students to “Stand Up and Speak Out” against bullying. Tuana has also raised funds for Sick Kids Hospital through the GetLoud Festival. She starts at Queen’s University this fall, studying for a concurrent degree in education and arts.

At Thistletown Collegiate Institute, Solyana served on the athletic council. She helped to plan and execute sports tournaments and also worked on social events. With Eritrean community organizations, she helped coach a youth soccer league and volunteered with New Nakfa, a youth group. It teaches life skills through workshops and mentorship. During the pandemic, participants helped organize donations of health supplies. Solyana is entering the second year of the social service worker program at Seneca College.

Ahmed graduated from Northern Secondary School in June 2019. This fall, he will be entering his third year of studies at Carleton University and majoring in Law with a concentration in Policy and Government. Ahmed has been elected onto the Carleton Young Liberal executive board as VP of Policy and Canvas Director, in which his role focuses on organizing policy events with scholars and promoting youth engagement with politics. He has been a soccer player since the age of 6 and he has volunteered as a youth soccer coach at his local neighbourhood league. 

Rania graduated from Central Toronto Academy.  She has been working for Toronto Public Library for three years as a Page, which involves sorting and organizing books, as well as connecting with people from the community. She is also working at St. Michael’s hospital as a Clinical Extern, collaborating with nurses and other hospital staff to advocate and provide care to patients. Rania is going into her third year in the Collaborative Nursing Program at Ryerson University.

Shawn is a second year MFA visual arts student at York University. She is actively contributing to her communities, she co-founded the artists’ Logie Place Community Garden and volunteers at the Beverley Sullivan Housing Cooperative. Combining lifelong interests in visual art and language, Shawn serves as a consulting editor of Existere – Journal of Arts & Literature, at York University. Her MFA thesis project focuses on individual and collective relationships with colonial systems of power and its impact on the everyday.

Nealob graduated from McMaster University in 2020 from the Political Science: Public Law and Judicial Studies Bachelor of Arts Program and will enter the second year of a Master of Public Service degree at the University of Waterloo this fall 2021. She has spent her undergrad volunteering with local university services such as Diversity Services, the Women + Gender Equity Network, the Pride Community Centre, the Creating Leadership Amongst Youth Leadership Conference, as well as community organizations such as the House of Hope Food Kitchen, and the Muslim Women’s Shelter. She is currently a public education volunteer for the Sexual Assault Support Centre in the KW area and hopes to continue her community involvement in the last year of her Master’s. 

In June 2020 Khalila helped organize the Unity March in Scarborough against racism and police injustice. It was part of her long-time commitment as a leader and mentor with Helping Neighbourhoods Implement Change. Her community development projects with the organization include a food bank and holiday events. She also works on initiatives to improve relationships between the community and the police. Khalila is in a bachelor of commerce program for human resources management at Humber College.

Nigeleen is entering her final year of Industrial Engineering at Ryerson University. Throughout her years at Ryerson she has joined several student groups and initiatives devoted to empowering Black students, providing them with opportunities for success, and creating an inclusive campus environment. Most notably, Nigeleen was a valued member of Ryerson’s Anti-Black Racism Advisory and is the current President of the National Society of Black Engineers – Ryerson Chapter.”

Skye is going into their third year at the University of Toronto; double majoring in Ethics, Society, & Law and Women & Gender Studies, and minoring in Sociology.

Skye is working full-time at the Postgraduate Medical Education Department at the University of Toronto in the International Relationships Department. They work with doctors from outside of Canada who want to do their fellowship and/or residency in a U of T affiliated hospital. 

They have volunteered with the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto’s Refugee Program since 2017, helping and supporting newcomers to Canada.

Skye also works part-time as a Peer Mentor for the Transitional Year Program’s Writing Centre at the University of Toronto from September to April.

They are also sitting on the Board of Directors as the Vice-President at Spruce Court Co-op. 

Asma was co-president and a driving force of Ryerson Students for Mental Awareness, Support, and Health (SMASH) for two years. She created “This Is My Story,” an event where students shared experiences and offered peer support. While volunteering at Ontario Inter-Culture Community Services, she proposed initiatives to promote empowerment of under-serviced communities. This year she was elected to the board of directors of Neill-Wycik, where she is focusing on sustainability, diversity, and equity. Asma begins graduate studies in psychology at Ryerson this fall.

While at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Ankita was a community youth activist, working with other youth to tackle local issues such as violence and vandalism. She entered the justice studies program at University of Guelph-Humber and will complete her degree this year. Ankita has been volunteering with children and youth with disabilities, as an online mentor. The instructional dance videos she created for Ability Online support mental health and help members of the site to cope with the pandemic.

Kissiah is a creative strategist and researcher studying Business Management at Ryerson University. A recipient of the CHF Canada Young Members Bursary, Kissiah has made it her mission to amplify young voices in the Cooperative Movement. She currently serves as a director at Neill Wycik Cooperative College. There she is using her skills and experiences to transform one of the few surviving student cooperatives and champion more equity, diversity and inclusion efforts.

Selsabil graduated from Ryerson University with a Bachelor of Science – Honours. She will be doing her Master of Science in Information Security and Digital Forensics at Niagara University. She is currently serving as the CHFT board president. Selsabil is an adamant volunteer within her community and hopes to provide a positive impact on society.