If you looked up the word determined in the dictionary, Alex Zhang would be the definition. As a passionate 10th grader at Laurel Heights, I’m ready to advocate for students across the board. I believe that the greatest ideas and solutions stem from combining different perspectives and voices, ensuring that everyone affected has a say.

My extracurriculars have shaped my leadership, cooperation skills, and me as a person. I’m a part of my school’s field hockey, hockey and rugby team, have ranked provincially and nationally for martial arts, and play competitive hockey and rugby outside of school. Aside from sports, I’m also an active member of my robotics team, co-founder of my school’s Brain Bee club and founder of Laurel Heights’ new Eco Committee. Dabbling in the arts, I play the piano for clubs, choirs and theatre productions, as well as directed a band for Laurel Heights’ Bright Lights. In the past, I was the Co-High School Mobilizer for the Waterloo Green Party, a junior mentor for McMaster Start Coding, and have received awards for hackathons, speech and business competitions. Alongside working three part-time jobs, I get the privilege of volunteering for philanthropic organizations and exploring my passions. Currently, I am working on projects related to e-waste sustainability and helping send a research project into the stratosphere.

The core of the WRDSB? It’s the students. Anyone can make the change, big or small — your voice matters, and it’s time to make it heard.

Hi, I’m Amogh Bandekar, a Grade 11 student at Laurel Heights, and I’m running for Student Trustee because I believe leadership is about persistence, integrity, and getting results that matter. I’ve never been someone who waits for change—I make it happen. From working as a Junior Campaign Manager at the provincial level to volunteering with both local and international organizations, I’ve learned how to build relationships, manage challenges, and stay grounded in the belief that leadership means service, not status.

I care deeply about making student life more affordable, fair, and connected. That’s why I’m pushing for a Student Semester Pass through the GRT, giving us the same transit access that magnet program students get. I’ll also fight to restore Route 13’s original frequency, so students aren’t left stranded after athletics or extracurriculars. I promise to make independence affordable and the standard. My plan will increase GRT ridership and decrease our carbon footprint. Inside our schools, I’ll work to expand tutoring options and create formal Mental Health Days with ironclad academic safety nets, because no student should have to choose between their well-being and their grades. But most importantly, I want to bridge the gap between students and the school board with a WRDSB Student Senate. If the Board is making a decision about your life, they’re going to have to look us in the eye first. Don’t just vote for a student; vote for a closer, and let’s get the job done, together.

My name is Muhammad Bilal Younas. I was born in Pakistan and moved to Canada in June 2018. Starting over in a new country wasn’t easy, but it helped shape who I am today by teaching me how to adapt, communicate with different people, and understand different perspectives.

I am currently a Grade 10 student at Bluevale Collegiate Institute. I’ve taken on leadership roles that helped me grow, including moderating and managing school assignment groups where I made sure everyone felt heard and respected. These experiences helped me become more confident in speaking up, listening carefully, and taking responsibility.

I also worked as a Counsellor in Training at Bingemans Day Camp, where I helped care for children in a fast-paced environment. It was challenging but rewarding, and it strengthened my patience and leadership skills. I plan on returning to earn an official counselling position.

In Grade 8, I stepped in to help a student who was being bullied. The experience reinforced my belief in standing up for what’s right. I’ve also helped run a school business stand, working with classmates to serve students across the school. I am still remembered at MacGregor Senior Public School as the student who found a lost 100$ bill and gave it to the school office. I value honesty and integrity more than money.

I take initiative, support others, and aim to make a positive impact in my school community.

My name is Dasha Turetska, and I’m a Grade 11 student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute. I’m running to be your student trustee because I want to make sure students’ voices are heard when decisions are made about our learning, well-being, and school experience.

I’m a student who loves math, science, and business, and I enjoy exploring new subjects and learning in different ways. I’m also multilingual, speaking Ukrainian, English, French, and Russian, which helps me understand different perspectives and connect with many students.
Outside of class, I’m the dance team captain, an executive member of the debate club, and I’ve been in DECA for three years. I also run my own tutoring company, Compass Tutoring, where I coordinate classes and help students reach their goals. I also coach young skaters and help organize hackathons and other school events.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned how to listen, work with others, and stand up for students. I care about making school a place where students feel supported and included, whether that’s through mental health resources, access to food, or fair transportation.

If elected, I want to be a student trustee who listens, speaks up, and makes sure students are part of the decisions that affect our schools.

My name is Jamaldeen (Jamal) Ajibola Adigun, and I am a grade 11 student at Forest Heights Collegiate Institute. I’ve always been the kid who never stayed in the same school for more than a year–always moving around. As a result of having to seamlessly assimilate myself into the cultures of many different schools, I’ve become better at understanding and relating to many different types of people from all different walks of life. I have also been an active member of many different clubs and extracurricular activities that further developed my teamwork and social skills. Including but not limited to: being the student sponsor for my school’s BSA; being a part of sports like volleyball, track and field, and wrestling; and volunteering for school events like the FHCI Francofête and Grade 8 Nights.

These clubs and activities have allowed me to meet and talk to so many different types of students from many different schools, from students all the way in Vancouver to students who go to the same school as me. As a student trustee, it is my job to be a voice for the students, and I believe the experiences I have are well-suited for that role.

My name is John Fu, and I am a Grade 11 student at Laurel Heights Secondary School.

In classrooms, clubs, and school-wide discussions, I regularly hear student perspectives on how the WRDSB can improve. However, these ideas often don’t reach decision-makers. I am running for Student Trustee to help bridge that gap and ensure student voices are meaningfully represented at the Board level.

Within my school, I’m the president of the Debate Club, Arduino Club, and Stock Market Club. Each week, I teach lessons, organize activities, and gather feedback to improve club experiences. I have also been the Assistant Coach of the Varsity Badminton Team since Grade 9, helping lead the team to WCSSAA and CWOSSA championships. These roles have taught me discipline, consistency, and how to actively represent diverse student perspectives; skills essential for effective consultation and informed decision-making.

Beyond school, I am a member of Teens Philanthropy, helping organize charity initiatives and raise over $1,000 for community causes. I also serve as a Finance Executive for DuploHacks, where I helped secure over $3,000 in funding for a 50+ participant hackathon. Additionally, I am a Yonex-sponsored athlete and have competed nationally and internationally under Badminton Canada for over six years. These experiences strengthened my passion for service and my professional communication with stakeholders, both critical in Board-level discussions.

As Student Trustee, I am committed to bringing student feedback directly into Board discussions by consulting across schools, identifying common accessibility barriers, and advocating for clear, student-informed decisions.

My name is Lia Jung, and I am currently a grade 11 student at Bluevale Collegiate Institute. Within academics, I have a strong interest in business, leadership and literature. But outside of academics, I’m into the arts, fashion and Pokémon. Within my school, I currently serve as Robotics Club President and a DECA Student Executive. I’ve qualified and competed in DECA’s ICDC competition, where I further developed my skills in leadership, communication and strategic thinking. DECA also assisted in learning how to maintain composure and professionalism in high-stress environments.

Outside of school, I’ve landed an internship at Refresh Pharmacy and volunteered as an assistant dance teacher at Premier Dance Academy. During my time as an Assistant Dance Teacher, I explored developing leadership skills by mentoring younger students and fostering their passion for dance.

Through Student Trustee, alongside these academic, professional, and extracurricular experiences, I strive to challenge myself, grow as a leader, and make a positive impact within the school board, student body and community.

My name is Manha Khan, and currently, I am a grade 10 student at Waterloo Collegiate Institute. The reason why I am applying for the Student Trustee position for the school board is that it interests me as it provides me to have influence at the district level.
I think I am able to bring a strong work ethic, clear communication skills, and a collaborative mindset to everything I do. I am comfortable engaging in thoughtful discussions, along with considering the different viewpoints of my peers, and contributing respectfully in formal settings. I take responsibility seriously and understand the importance of preparation, professionalism, and follow-through in leadership roles.

My key focal points relate to issues within equity, access to opportunities, and ensuring that students from all academic pathways feel represented. I believe that students offer valuable insight into how policies affect daily school life, and I am motivated to ensure that those insights are reflected in board-level conversations.

I feel like, as a Student Trustee, I would want to focus on building effective communication between students and the board, getting student input, and sharing it in a clear and constructive way so that both parties involved feel heard. I am committed to learning the responsibilities of this role and to serving students across the district with integrity, diligence, and respect.

In this race, there are candidates with more accomplishments, more eloquent speeches, and larger and more ambitious plans than mine. And honestly, that’s just fine. This campaign was never about trying to be the most impressive person in the room.

My name is Mathuran Chenthivelnathan, and I didn’t decide to run because I wanted a title, recognition, or something to put on a resume. I decided to run because I genuinely care about this school and the people in it. I care about the students who feel unheard, the ones who have opinions but don’t feel safe sharing them, and the ones who’ve stopped believing their voice matters.

I don’t pretend to have all the answers. What I do have is a genuine commitment to listening, honesty, and to showing up—even when the work falls in quiet or uncomfortable spaces. I believe small, consistent efforts matter and can make a real difference, even when they sometimes may not look like very much from the outside.

Whether I am elected or not, I want to be someone with whom students feel confident, who can take them seriously and represent them respectfully. If you choose to support me, I appreciate it. I also respect your decision to go with someone else. The most important thing to me is that this school board keeps working toward creating an environment where people feel supported, heard, and appreciated.

That’s the reason I’m here, and regardless of the result, that’s what matters to me.

My name is Nicole Yang, I’m an 11th-grade student at Laurel Heights Secondary School, and I’m running to be your North Riding student trustee. My goal is to ensure that all students have a dedicated advocate representing their voices to the board.

I am a resilient student and leader, experienced with discipline and service. Over the past years of my life, I’ve committed myself to aiding my community in a great variety of volunteer roles, including volunteering at a local Chinese school, as an art teacher, a counsellor in training at summer camps, and currently as a debate and public speaking educator. These experiences have helped me understand how to lead and work with peers from diverse and varied backgrounds.

My extracurriculars have shaped me into a person befitting the role of student trustee. As an active competitive debater, I’ve formed the critical thinking skills necessary to understand board policies and represent all perspectives with equity. I am prepared to speak for all students’ needs and translate those into actionable change. Additionally, as a swim athlete, I have learned valuable lessons in time management, discipline, and grit. As an artist, I have developed my creative ability, learned persistence, and been accustomed to putting in a great deal of effort. All these experiences have formed me into a great candidate to advocate for all students in the WRDSB and to continue building the best possible education environment for our community.

Petar Dragicevic is an FHCI grade eleven student who, as of now, is in the D&D club, the swim team, the science club and the Eco club. In the past, Petar was on the rugby team, robotics club, flag football team and even made OFSAA in grade nine and won the rookie award. When out of school, he spends his time with friends and others, helping out others in need and is always looking to meet new people. A year ago, he played competitive water polo for seven years, qualifying and representing Team Ontario in the national leagues. Nowadays, he spends time teaching others how to swim without prior experience or with disabilities. Petar knows the demanding requirements for becoming a student trustee in order to represent the students’ needs and make the school environment a better place to teach and learn for both students and teachers alike. Such responsibilities for a role would need a person who is great with responsibility, strong leadership, time management, open-minded, teamwork, independence, great communication skills, to many and a willingness to represent the students of the WRDSB and give them a voice. All these great qualities can be seen in him. He hopes to one day give the resources and learning environment that suits the student and helps them grow into greater versions of themselves. He advocates for the mental well-being of the students and makes school a more fun and hands-on environment.

You’ve probably read a lot of bios already, so I’ll keep this one simple and meaningful. My name is Skyler Yoo, and I am a Grade 10 student in the IB program at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute. I have been actively involved in leadership through dance, school activities, volunteering, and student advocacy, where I have developed strong skills in listening to student concerns, communicating ideas clearly, and working collaboratively with others.

Throughout my high school journey, I have been dedicated to improving student life by becoming involved in school initiatives such as the Student Activity Council (SAC) and founding the Neuroscience Club. Through these roles, I have worked to create opportunities for students to engage with their interests, connect with one another, and feel more supported in their school experience.

My experiences in leadership and advocacy have allowed me to engage with a diverse range of students and understand the challenges they face both inside and outside the classroom. As a student balancing academics, extracurricular involvement, and community engagement, I bring a thoughtful and empathetic perspective to student representation.

My name is Vivi Yuan, and I’m a Grade 10 student at Cameron Heights Collegiate Institute. As someone who moved to Canada not too long ago and lived in two provinces, my experiences navigating different education systems as a student with disability are where my passion for advocacy stems from. Whether it’s speaking up for myself or advocating for others through my writing, I’ve published an article about disability in my school newspaper. I’m also passionate about serving my community. I’ve dedicated over 300 hours volunteering in the community, working with people from all generations and backgrounds, whether it’s singing with senior citizens with dementia at Circle of Music intergenerational choir, or assisting with activities at art camps at KWAG. I’m also a well-rounded student involved in the wrestling team, the cross country team, and clubs like the school newspaper and DECA.

I believe real, tangible change comes from consistent and accessible communication. So my goal as student trustee is to improve communication between students and the school board, make sure everyone’s voices are heard, and everyone understands board decisions that affect us. I am planning to achieve this by implementing 24/7 anonymous feedback systems, frequent surveys and polls on social media, I also plan to create short breakdowns of board meetings and policies, and lastly I am committed to connecting with our staff, like ESL teachers and special education teachers so I can work directly with our overlooked peers to bring everyone’s voices to the board.