Lindsay’s Siobhán Marie is one of 15 high school students across Canada who have received the 2023 Terry Fox Humanitarian Award.
The award provides university scholarships up to $28,000 to students who exemplify the humanitarian ideals of Terry Fox by volunteering and giving back to their communities.
A student at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Secondary School in Lindsay, Siobhán was diagnosed with Lyme disease when she was 13 years old. Although the disease has affected her physical and mental well-being, she learned to view her situation as an opportunity for personal growth and to foster hope in other young people with disabilities.
During the pandemic, Siobhán founded the ‘Stepping Stones’ healthy living program that promotes physical well-being, substance use prevention, and mental wellness among marginalized people. She has also helped families in need by providing grant-funded recreational opportunities and donating to local breakfast programs.
Siobhán has been a student trustee for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington District School Board, representing the interests of more than 15,000 students. Along with representing student positions, student trustees take part in all public meetings of the board, participate with other trustees in discussions, and provide reports to the board.
Her advocacy for free menstrual products with the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association led to systemic change at the provincial level through a three-year grant. For the 2022-23 school year, Siobhán was appointed as policy coordinator on the Ontario Student Trustee Association’s executive council. Exemplifying her goal to create educational inclusivity, she has also volunteered extensively in the special education resource department of a local elementary school.
“My experience living with Lyme Disease, combined with my humanitarian efforts, has taught me that perseverance, empathy, and determination are instrumental in making a long-lasting impact,” Siobhán says. “In honour of Terry Fox, I will continue to persevere and find positivity in my experiences to empower current and future generations of the world.”
Siobhán has done all of this while maintaining a 98.4 per cent academic average in Grade 11 and 12. She plans to study at Queen’s University in the concurrent education program starting this fall, and looks forward to continuing her humanitarianism work.
Also an employee in the City of Kawartha Lakes parks and recreation division, Siobhán will be acknowledged at city council’s May 23rd meeting.
“I want to thank Siobhán Marie for her inspiring impact and the dedication she has shown within our community,” says Kawartha Lakes mayor Doug Elmslie in a media release. “With people like Siobhán leading the next generation in Kawartha Lakes, the future is bright. Congratulations on an incredible accomplishment. I look forward to seeing where your future takes you and the accomplishments you achieve.”
