Teen Summit 2024
by Dan Mullins
The Lester B. Pearson School Board’s Head Office was buzzing recently, as over 100 students from the board’s 10 high schools convened for the much-anticipated Teen Summit. Organized by the Central Students’ Committee (CSC), the event was a celebration of diversity, a massive exchange of ideas, a place for future leaders to shine, and the coming together of the community of Lester B. Pearson high school students.
The summit’s theme was Equity, Diversity, Dignity and Inclusion (EDDI). The topic clearly resonated deeply with the socially conscious student community, and the Head Office’s boardroom was alive with discussion, friendly debate, and the collaborative spirit.
Fiona Govers and Leah Al-Shourbaji, both students in Grade 10 at Macdonald High, were co-chairs of the Summit’s planning committee, and were crucial to its success. “We want people to connect with people,” Ms. Govers said about her aims for the day, “also, to notice that there is something that they can join if they have something to say, whether it’s an issue in the school, or EDDI topics, or just to meet.”
“I think it can be really common for students to feel powerless,” said Ms. Al-Shourbaji, continuing, “but I think if you become involved through leadership programs, or the Central Students’ Committee, you have the ability to affect the issues.” The co-chairs made themselves available for interviews with the media, which you can find in the Pearson News’ press review here.
Throughout the day, students engaged in workshops and discussions, tackling issues from systemic racism to greater inclusivity in school sports. A particular focus was on accessibility of menstrual products, a tangible issue that many students were passionate about addressing. “It’s a basic need,” explained Ms. Govers. “Just like bathrooms have toilet paper and soap, they should have menstrual products too.” Those interested in the topic are advised to go to Instagram page of Élèves Unis, a non-profit organization founded by students from the LBPSB and elsewhere, for more information and to take action.
Along with ice breakers, smaller group activities, and a “think tank” discussion, the day featured two plenary presentations, the first of which was delivered by Nick Foley, an educator, speaker, and social entrepreneur who emphasizes inclusion, acceptance, and empowerment. The high energy and interactive presentation was well received. As Olivia Feduk, a Grade 11 student at Horizon High, said, “it was a good message. Spend time with people that you love and like, and accept people. That’s what I got from it.”
The second presentation was delivered by LBPSB Alumnae and sisters Isabel (22) and Jane (20) Szollosy. Founders of the organization Sparkes of Hope and winners of the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award, these two graduates of Beaconsfield High School and current university students delivered an inspiring and challenging workshop on the theme of Intersectionality. “We have to think about other people’s conditions before preparing an event or activities,” explained the elder Ms. Szollosy, “just so that everybody has like equal inclusion and equal participation.”
The summit was a success not just in terms of ideas generated, but also as measured by the participants’ enthusiasm. Kaiya Schade and Lujain Hamdaqa, student commissioners, noted how engaged their peers had been throughout the day. “It’s been a vision for much longer than we’ve been planning it,” Ms. Hamdaqa reflected. “I’m really happy to see how it turned out. You know, it seemed like a lot of students had a lot to share and I think now we really know what to work on.”
Debbie Dixon, the Regional Director for Region 3, played a pivotal role by overseeing the Central Students’ Committee and supporting the student organizers. Other essential adult contributors included teachers Isabelle Alarie and Patricia Staniforth, and commissioners Frank DiBello and Malik Shaheed.
As students departed, still engaged in animated discussion, many were clearly inspired to continue advocating for change both in the world and within their schools. This summit provided recommendations to be brought to the LBPSB’s Council of Commissioners, but also the opportunity for new, younger student leaders to emerge, equipped with the insights and passion evident during the event.
Thoughts shared by Ms. Govers with the Suburban Newspaper seemed to nicely encapsulate the spirit of the event: “This is not an easy conversation,” she said, “but what it all boils down to is that we are all human and we don’t go against people made up of the same atoms as we are. Not all issues will be solved in a day, we know that. This is not just something that encompasses school — it impacts all aspects of our lives. Creating a community where students can speak their minds and feel heard contributes to a sense of safety, belonging and comfort in school and in their lives.”
As the school year draws to a close, we are eager to see the fruits of these conversations and the causes that the student leaders of tomorrow will champion.
