The 2025 Cele​brating Student Success students are:

Alexander Wang, Oscar Peterson PS           

Alex excels in mathematics, consistently earning top marks and mentoring classmates who need help, while also performing well in math contests like the Beaver Computing Contest. As a leader in the LEGO Robotics Club, he led his team to the top score at the Area Elementary LEGO Robotics tournament and represented his school at the Regional competition. Alex is also a talented musician, contributing to the Intermediate Band and composing his own music. His dedication extends beyond academics, as he actively participates in clubs like chess, trivia and student tech crew, while also supporting classmates through initiatives like helping a multilingual peer with language acquisition.

Amabelle Cheng, Highgate PS         

Amabelle has made many contributions through her involvement in both academic and extracurricular activities. She actively supports her marginalized peers, ensuring their inclusion in classroom discussions and activities. Amabelle takes a leadership role in group projects, especially in Science and Math, where she encourages collaboration and inclusivity. Additionally, she is involved in multiple sports teams, including basketball, volleyball, track and field, and cross-country and participates in clubs like the chess club and the Identity Affirming Alliance. Outside of school, she volunteers as a coach for a youth volleyball program demonstrating her commitment to empowering others.

Arshida Hedeshi, Richmond Green SS        

Arshida has made significant contributions aligning with the District Action Plan and Trustees Multi-Year Strategic Plan. As Student Activity Council (SAC) president, she has organized inclusive events like the Green's Got Talent show and the Semi-Formal, fostering community and positive relationships among students. Arshida also promotes health, well-being, and human rights by supporting the Green Team and the implementation of an MLL representative on SAC, while also mentoring newcomers as an RGSS Newcomer Ambassador. Outside of SAC, she leads the HOSA club, encourages student growth and participates in the school’s arts and athletics programs.

Avanoosh Mehdizadeh, Langstaff SS       

Avanoosh is a student leader in the Wellness Committee, organizing weekly Wellness Wednesday events and working with admin to get them approved. She created a play centered on teen mental health and won a $1,000 grant through the Co-lab high school program to promote mental health at a feeder school. Avanoosh also designed a mural reflecting the diversity of her school, demonstrating her commitment to inclusivity and human rights. As a top academic student and honor student, she ran a school-wide campaign for school trustee, presenting to staff and peers while also leading multiple clubs and preparing for university in the USA.

Chelsea Gonsko, Mackenzie Glen PS         

Chelsea has demonstrated outstanding leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive and positive school environment. As a ROC (Reach Out and Care) Ambassador, she has promoted kindness and empathy, while her role in the Youth S.P.A.C.E. has focused on student well-being and equity. Chelsea has also co-presented cultural celebrations for Hanukkah and Passover, sharing her knowledge and engaging her peers. Additionally, she is an active member of the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), advocating for equity and creating a safe space for all students. Her contributions to the Choir and leadership in cultural initiatives have enriched the school’s arts and cultural programs.

Claire De Ciantis, King City SS         

As a Peer Tutor, Claire dedicates numerous hours to supporting students in the MLL Club, the After School Numeracy program, and her own peers. She also played a key role in mentoring Grade 9 students, leading events like the Grade 9 Open House, ROC King camp, and workshops on study skills. Additionally, Claire manages the morning announcements team, organizes cultural celebrations and volunteers as a basketball scorekeeper all while maintaining academic excellence. Her efforts have had a lasting impact on the school community.

Frances Li, Pierre E. Trudeau HS      

Frances consistently excels academically and in extracurricular activities, placing 7th in the world at DECA Internationals and leading her peers to a 500% increase in success rates through her role as a DECA trainer. She has demonstrated leadership as President of TSAC, stage manager for productions like Mamma Mia: The Musical and as a key organizer of community events such as a food drive collecting over 1,300 items. Frances co-founded Trudeau Tutoring & Co., which has helped over 250 students and advocates for inclusivity through her work with The New Gen and the Constituency Youth Council. She has also initiated projects like the Club Markets and Exam 101 workshops, all of which foster collaboration, equity, and mental health awareness within her school community.

Jifan (Jack) Zhao, Phoebe Gilman PS           

After arriving in Canada from China with limited English skills, Jack quickly became a prominent leader at Phoebe Gilman Public School. He serves as a member of the Student Council, representing his peers and contributing to initiatives like the Dance-a-thon and Holiday Toy & Food Drives. Jack has excelled in athletics, participating in badminton, volleyball, basketball and track and field, while also competing in and adjudicating chess tournaments. Internationally, he has represented Canada in the Pan-American Chess Tournament, placing 5th, and continues to balance his competitive chess career with his school responsibilities. Jack's dedication to learning and helping others, especially his peers and marginalized students, makes him a respected role model in his school community.

Joshua Lewis, Fossil Hill PS        

Joshua is a dedicated and responsible student who excels in various roles both inside and outside the classroom. He demonstrates strong leadership skills through his involvement in the school leadership council, sports teams and volunteering to support junior teams. Joshua is known for his ability to assist peers in various subjects, utilizing his interpersonal skills to help others. He is highly organized, setting goals, managing his workload, and persistently overcoming setbacks. His ability to multitask and collaborate effectively in teams highlights his strong commitment to productivity and personal accountability.

Mursal Nazifullah, Keswick HS         

Mursal has shown exceptional dedication and resilience despite facing significant hardships before arriving in Canada from Afghanistan. She consistently excels academically while balancing a full-time job to support her family and walking long distances to attend school. Mursal is also deeply involved in helping others, offering academic and emotional support to peers, and organizing a clothing and toy donation drive for Afghan and Ukrainian families in need. Her ambition to become a nurse reflects her commitment to helping others, and her hard work, compassion and perseverance have made her a role model for her classmates and teachers.

Shiva Prakash, Markham DHS    

Shiva has excelled academically with a 96% average in grade 12 while making significant contributions to his school community. He transformed the STEM Club, growing it from 15 to 190+ members, and secured grant funding to provide free technical workshops, including PCB design, to over 100 students. As Marketing Editor for the yearbook, he played a key role in its success, and his involvement in the Audio Visual Team ensured smooth execution of school events. Shiva also contributed to student well-being as Co-president of the SAC team, increasing event participation by 120% and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion through his roles in the Computer Science Club and other initiatives.

Sydney Gahunia, Unionville HS     

Sydney has demonstrated exceptional achievement in both academics and extracurricular activities. During her participation in the Develop the Future Co-op program, she created an app to detect her heart condition, showcasing her problem-solving and coding skills. As co-president of the STEM Education Club, she has organized workshops, empowered peers to take leadership roles and promoted STEM opportunities to students, including through the annual STEM Expo and Information and Communication Technology SHSM program. Additionally, Sydney co-founded the South Asian Student Association, creating an inclusive space for cultural awareness and supporting mental health and career-focused initiatives. Her involvement in Shad Canada and a study abroad program in Italy further highlights her commitment to fostering connections with people from different lived experiences.

Tarani Esparam, Milliken Mills HS              

Tarani has made significant contributions to her school and community through a variety of roles. She has organized workshops for Grade 8 students to ease their transition to high school, including team-building activities and programs on business and sustainability. As President of Business SHSM, she led events that supported peers' career pathways and helped Grade 12 students with applications. She also co-planned successful environmental programming through the Human Nature Project, reached out to First Nations, Metis and Inuit professors, businesses and First Nations communities, collaborated on curriculum development for Business education and contributed to the Drama Club. Additionally, Tarani has volunteered for the Canadian Cancer Society, delivered presentations at national events and provided marketing training for Ontario DECA competitors, highlighting her leadership and dedication to community engagement.

Tasneem Ismail, Silver Stream PS              

Tasneem begean her learning journey in the Student Support Centre at YRDSB, where she built her language and math skills, demonstrating resilience and a drive to overcome challenges. She embraced assistive technology to enhance her learning and took the initiative to explore ways to use it for showcasing her interests. Beyond academics, Tasneem pursued her passion for theatre, becoming the youngest theatre tech in Grade 3 and later taking on leadership roles, including teaching and guiding older students. By Grade 4, she actively supported peers and advocated for more responsibilities, eventually becoming the Lead Sound Engineer in Grade 6, while also fostering cultural awareness and boosting the morale of those around her.

Will Duncan, Huron Heights SS

Will is in his final year of the PEAK North program, where he has made significant strides in developing independence, social skills and self-regulation. Over the past 1.5 years, he has gained valuable work experience, working four days a week at two drug stores, as well as a grocery store and restaurant. He is skilled in using public transit to commute and plans outings independently. Additionally, he participates in weekly Special Olympics Curling with PEAK Central, where he has built friendships and connections. Currently, he is working at a drug store in his hometown, performing tasks such as medical billing and stock management, with hopes of securing a full-time position after graduation.

Zuhayr Akshaan, Baythorn PS       

Zuhayr is a dynamic leader, serving as the head of the Student Council and a member of the Jedi Club, which celebrates and educates about diverse cultures. He actively participates in school sports, either playing on a team or supporting tournaments, and is currently developing a student survey focused on the YRDSB school improvement plan. Zuhayr excels in both the arts and regular streams, contributing to visual art, music, dance and drama while fostering collaboration between these tracks, such as organizing soccer games that unite students from both streams. His leadership is marked by a commitment to inclusivity and encouraging his peers to take risks, work together and strive for personal excellence.