Wise Words From Our Presidents: Committees

By: Alexandria Ioannou & Madison So

St. Augustine’s student body was definitely a busy population this year! With one event after another, how could the students resist participating in each one? Our committees have worked tirelessly to organize a multitude of events to keep our school busy and active. Willing to share their experiences and insights, we were able to interview St. Augustine’s student leaders! 

Here’s what the 2019-2020 presidents of St. Augustine’s committees had to say!

Committees Featured: Animal Rights Committee, H.E.A.R.T. Committee, Matt 25 Social Justice Committee, Spectrum Committee, Best Buddies, ECO Team

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1. During your experience with your committee, what was your favourite memory?

My favourite memory was the first animal rights meeting. I was so excited to see everyone who had an interest in our cause and it was just so nice getting to meet everyone. — Janice Lee, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

As H.E.A.R.T’s president, my best memory this year was our “Write a Letter to our Sister Schools” initiative, which took place during our second semester H.E.A.R.T week. It was such a heart-warming and touching experience to witness a large majority of our staff and students come together to write messages of support, love, and encouragement to our sister schools in Uganda. — Emily Saysanasy, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

My favourite memory as H.E.A.R.T’s president would definitely be the fun fair after last year’s Terry Fox run. Our face-painting booth was the first time I was in charge of something as president, and I was super nervous about it. It ended up being a really popular booth and I was so happy that it worked out so well! — Nicole Ward, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

During my time as president of Matt 25, one of my favourite memories would the time spent with the council planning last semester’s Advent drive. As the members were painting boxes for homerooms and working in teams to complete different tasks, I really saw their creativity and dedication shining through. It was such a unique experience, because it really showed me a new side of Matt 25, and what we are capable of doing when we come together as a team. — Zinnia Chung, Gr.12, Matt 25 President

This year I really enjoyed our Advent Drive where the entire student body was able to get involved and donate necessities (such as clothing) to the Good Shepherd. It was challenging at first because it was the first time we’ve hosted this event but in the end, we learned a lot from it and it was very rewarding! — Kaitlyn Wong, Gr. 11, Matt 25 Vice President

My favourite memory was setting up for the escape room, it was early on in the school year so it was a great opportunity to really get to know my fellow spectrum members and my great executive team! — Nour Fahim Iskander, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

My favourite memory was making the blue buttons for Bullying Prevention Week because Spectrum members stayed after school one day in the library and we worked as a team to make hundreds of buttons. — Austin Lo, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

Something I will always remember is watching the graduation ceremony for two students in the Functional Life Skills class. The ceremony consisted of the rest of the class performing skits that they had prepared in drama class to commemorate the time they spent with them. Their teachers spoke about how they have impacted their lives, followed by a slideshow of pictures from when they first attended St. Augustine. The whole audience was in tears seeing their journey and I am so grateful that I was able to build relationships with them during our time together. — Tessa Gizzarelli, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

The responsibility of a co-president was a challenge that I was ready to take on at the beginning of my senior year of high school.  I was aware that the opportunities which came with being co-president would be ones to remember.  This past year I was able to have so many wonderful experiences, my favourite memory of them all being the Valentine’s Day dance we hosted in February.  We had FLS students from different schools come to St. Augustine to have a fun night with food, dancing, and friends! — Sarah Brown, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

My favourite memory as ECO Team president, would be committee and club fair! That was the first time that I had to set up for an “event” and it made me realize how exciting it would be to be a part of ECO Team this year. It was so nice to see all the students interested in getting involved in the school community. — Jessica Lamanna, Gr. 12, ECO Team President

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2. If you could describe your committee in one word, what would it be and why?

“Electric. Every meeting is filled with great ideas with people who basically bounce off of each other’s energy. Everyone’s energy was in the right place all the time.”

Nour Fahim Iskander, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

I would choose the word respectful. This is because from my experience, everyone in our committee is dedicated to our cause and we’re all respectful of the rights of animals and we want to be able to make a change which is why we hold our events 🙂 — Janice Lee, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

The Animal Rights Committee can be described as driven. We set attainable goals to help animals locally as well as globally. We always aim to do good, not just for animals, but also for students and staff at St. Augustine. — Melissa Cheng, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

If H.E.A.R.T could be described in one word, it would be “resilience.” This year, there were numerous instances where our initial initiative ideas were not executed as planned, or where slight bumps in the road were experienced. Despite these occasional mishaps, the surplus of skills, determination, and hard work from our committee members and teacher advisors allowed for these obstacles to be overcome, and ensured the successful completion of our initiatives. — Emily Saysanasy, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

I would describe H.E.A.R.T as compassionate. No matter what grade, each of our members are on our committee because they have a genuine interest in helping out those less fortunate than us. All of our events are designed to raise money and awareness for our sister schools, and all of our members play a key part in helping with these events. — Nicole Ward, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

If I could describe Matt 25 as a committee in one word, I would use “passionate.” All of the members are passionate—about social justice, personal values, and our mission of “being the change” within the school and the community at large. This sense of inner passion helps to fuel our large scale initiatives to bring about positive progress in a world where we, as students, are often discouraged by the bleak portrayal of the world around us. All it really takes is one step to start a large scale wave of change and with the passionate hearts of students (both in Matt 25 and the STAs student body at large) leading the way, we can look to a future of brighter days for all. — Zinnia Chung, Gr.12, Matt 25 President

If I could describe Spectrum as a committee in one word it would be hard working because all of the members dedicate their time to help us prepare and carry out our events. — Austin Lo, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

I believe the word “inclusive” best describes St. Augustine’s Best Buddies chapter. Our committee brings together a group of like-minded students with a passion for inclusivity to ensure that all individuals truly feel a part of our school community. We facilitate several activities, including our weekly bowling and cooking club in order to build life-long friendships. Our chapter is determined to make all students feel a sense of belonging within our community, despite the differences we face. I could create an ongoing list describing all the positive attributes of Best Buddies, but as a committee that strongly supports the acceptance of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, “inclusive” is most appropriate. — Tessa Gizzarelli, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

If I could describe Best Buddies in one word, I would use the word friendship.  I chose this word because you can make a friendship like no other in Best Buddies; ones to last a lifetime. — Sarah Brown, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

I would describe ECO Team as a community. Throughout the year, I would not have been able to perform as president without the help of the members, executives, and teachers. The committee members were always supportive and encouraging and worked as a team. — Jessica Lamanna, Gr. 12, ECO Team President

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3. What does your committee mean to you?

Being the co-president of animal rights committee has been my first leadership role, so it means a lot to me. I love animals (like any other person) and I believe that no animal should have to live through suffering 😦 I’m glad I got the chance to plan and hold events this year to support our mandate. — Janice Lee, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

The Animal Rights Committee was not just a place for me to raise funds for this important cause or to express my love for animals. It gave me a chance to meet new people and to further develop my skills, such as leadership and time management. — Melissa Cheng, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

As a committee, H.E.A.R.T is extremely dear to my heart. I learned about the committee before I even entered grade nine, during my grade eight information night. I recall being completely enamored and inspired by H.E.A.R.T’s message of positivity and their persistence to make a difference, despite being thousands of kilometres away from Uganda. 

H.E.A.R.T has been with me throughout the entirety of my high school career, as I’ve been a member of the committee since the beginning of grade nine. It has given me the opportunity to enhance my internal growth, meet new people, and make a difference from across the globe. It’s also provided me with a plethora of learning and leadership opportunities, and has allowed me to create long-lasting relationships, for which I am thankful for. — Emily Saysanasy, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

H.E.A.R.T was really important to me all through high school. I got my first executive position in grade 10, and I remember all of the older members were super supportive and helped me learn the ropes. When I became president the next year, I remember being excited to support others the way I was supported. To me, H.E.A.R.T is all about teamwork and supporting each other! — Nicole Ward, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

When I first joined Matt 25 in grade 9 I was so inspired by the committee’s work and the overall message that we send. I have always had a passion for social justice and I am so thankful to this committee for giving me a chance to collaborate with an amazing group of individuals who share the same dedication! — Kaitlyn Wong, Gr. 11, Matt 25 Vice President

Spectrum is a mini model of what I hope the world can be like someday. It in itself is a place of inclusivity and positivity that strives to make our school just like it. And I hope that to some degree that we did. — Nour Fahim Iskander, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

To me, Spectrum means inclusivity because we help students feel comfortable in the school community. — Austin Lo, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

My journey began in elementary school knowing the struggle of waking up every day and attending a place where I never felt truly welcomed. In grade 9, I joined Best Buddies and little did I know it would be the highlight of my high school career and be a significant factor in moulding me into who I am today. I have been through a lot of ups and downs with my friends, but I am grateful to say that the buddies were with me through it all; they are my rock. Because of them, I have always felt a sense of belonging here at St. Augustine. The buddies have been role models in my life, and it is their positivity, selflessness and resilience that set them apart. I have grown working alongside these students who have inspired me to simply be me and I am glad I got to be a part of their high school experience. — Tessa Gizzarelli, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

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4. What is one thing you learned while being a leader?

One thing I learned was that taking up a leadership role isn’t easy. At first it felt really weird being in charge! But I had a supportive community in animal rights and we were able to work through things together. I guess another thing I learned was that it was really hard holding fundraising events and that not everyone in our school supports the cause. To be honest, it was kind of hard getting people to participate in some events. — Janice Lee, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

Leading the Animal Rights Committee helped me learn the importance of hardwork, planning, and organizing to raise awareness and funds for vulnerable animals. I also learned how to work better as a leader and as a teammate. Being a leader also made me realize that I still have a lot to learn and that it’s okay to make mistakes. I couldn’t have done it without our executive team and general members. — Melissa Cheng, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

While leading H.E.A.R.T, I learned how to delegate work to other people. Previously, I was always a perfectionist and I liked doing things myself. When I became president, I realized that there were all these members who cared about our sister schools as well and wanted to put work in too. It was amazing working with individuals who had the same desire to help others. — Nicole Ward, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

One thing that I learned while leading Matt 25 was the importance of attentiveness in bringing to life team goals. The Matt 25 committee is a diverse group of students—each with their own ideas and methods of communicating. Without a willingness to not only lead, but to carefully listen to the voices of others, many bright ideas often go unsaid. With this as the case, it was important for me to act as not only a leader, but a member of the team as well—taking the time to consider and truly understand the perspectives of my fellow members. At Matt 25, it is my mission to ensure that every member knows that their contributions are valued and respected, and the first step in doing so is to ensure that their voices are truly heard.At the same time, it is also important to take a break every once in a while, and work towards deepening our connections as a committee. Fun times spent at committee pot luck events or celebrations are definitely needed to balance our hard work throughout the year!! — Zinnia Chung, Gr.12, Matt 25 President

I was extremely lucky this year to work with this year’s president, Zinnia. I learned so much about leadership just from working with her and gained a new appreciation for all council presidents of our school and their commitment towards our school community. I definitely have some big shoes to fill next year but thankfully I have such an incredible team to work with! — Kaitlyn Wong, Gr. 11, Matt 25 Vice President

Time management was something that challenged me throughout the school year, but I’m thankful because it taught me how to deal with my time effectively. — Nour Fahim Iskander, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

One thing I learned while leading Spectrum is that you have to work and communicate well with others to accomplish things, while also adapting to include other people’s ideas even if you think what you have is great. — Austin Lo, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

One thing I learned while leading Best Buddies this past year is how to separate your personal friendships from being the president of a student club.  For example: I had to learn that it is important not to make excuses for your friend’s lack of participation in club activities. — Sarah Brown, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

Being president of ECO Team taught me the importance of organization and time management. When planning and running events, it was always mandatory for members and executives to be organized and on time to shifts. Organization is so important for events to run smoothly and be successful! — Jessica Lamanna, Gr. 12, ECO Team President

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5. As the 2019-2020 president/vice president, do you have any words of advice for future members and presidents?

Speak out for what you believe in, regardless of what others think and say.  We can change the world for the better. — Melissa Cheng, Gr. 12, Animal Rights Committee Co-President

For future H.E.A.R.T members, I’m so pleased that you’ve decided to join such a great committee! Make sure to use your individual gifts and talents to the best of your abilities, and have fun along the way. Also, don’t forget to show up on time for meetings and always email your secretary if you cannot make it! 🙂 For future H.E.A.R.T presidents, this role is genuinely all about what you make of it! Being the leader of a committee can be extremely difficult, but also incredibly rewarding at times. You will find that your inner sense of leadership will be challenged, and you will come to experience personal growth. Just remember, you will not be working in this role alone! Make sure to work closely with your teacher advisors and fellow committee members. Don’t be scared to ask questions or speak up when you feel necessary. When you’re strong and confident, it empowers others – so don’t be afraid to use the validity of your words and actions to truly make a difference. — Emily Saysanasy, Gr. 12, H.E.A.R.T Committee Co-President

My words for future members and presidents would be to continue to work towards goals that you are passionate about, while taking the time to make fond memories along your social justice journey. Being a part of Matt 25 will be an unforgettable experience, filled with friendships, excitement, and unique opportunities along the way! — Zinnia Chung, Gr.12, Matt 25 President

My advice to future presidents and executives is to always be open to new ideas! We’ve had so many great new ideas that came from our members which later turned out to be successful events! As for future members, get involved in the committee as much as you can! I promise all of the dedication and hard work pays off in the end! — Kaitlyn Wong, Gr. 11, Matt 25 Vice President

Enjoy being president while it lasts, get to really know your executive team and your general members because more times than not they teach you how amazing this school really is and it makes you more grateful and more proud to be part of this amazing community. — Nour Fahim Iskander, Gr. 12, Spectrum Co-President

The best piece of advice I can give future members and presidents is to always practice empathy. In order to fulfill Best Buddies’ purpose, we must understand all students’ perspectives in order to decide the most beneficial way to serve the community. When there is meaning behind our ideas, it is evidently seen through our actions. — Tessa Gizzarelli, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

My word of advice for future members and presidents is to show up to as many activities as you can because when it is all said and done, you’ll wish you attended everything! — Sarah Brown, Gr. 12, Best Buddies Co-President

My advice for future members or presidents would be to always do your best and work together with your team of executive members! When you all work together as a team, it brings the best outcomes for this important committee to make a difference. — Jessica Lamanna, Gr. 12, ECO Team President

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The experiences and insights that these presidents shared will certainly motivate the future generations of St. Augustine’s student leaders! We will undoubtedly miss those who will not be returning next year, but for those who are, we are all extremely excited to see what they have to offer! Nonetheless, we wish everyone a safe and successful journey on their future paths!

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For more information on each committee, check out their Instagram pages!