News Release
6/25/2017
Aurora, ON – Two students from Vaughan Secondary School are receiving international recognition for their innovative proposal to convert food waste into energy.
Grade 12 students Vanessa Fiore and Adam Wali were the Canadian recipients of the Youth Innovation Challenge from the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. They will receive $5,000 in seed funding to support their idea. They will also present their proposal at the 2017 CEC Council Session in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island along with the winning students from the United States and Mexico.
“We are so honoured to receive this recognition and to have this opportunity. This would not have been possible without the support we received through York Region District School Board and Innovation York,” said Vanessa Fiore.
“This was a great opportunity to explore creative solutions to complex challenges. We are looking forward to meeting with other students and professionals who share our interest in environmental sustainability,” stated Adam Wali.
“Our students continue to demonstrate a passion for making change, and we are so proud to see Vanessa and Adam receiving recognition at this level for their innovation and perseverance,” said Maria Maiato, Principal, Vaughan Secondary School.
The challenge was open to youth aged 18-26 from Canada, the United States and Mexico. Young people were invited to share their solutions to environmental issues. A winner was chosen from each of the three countries.
In addition to school supports, the students received mentoring from Innovation York, the innovation office for York University, as part of an ongoing collaboration with YRDSB to support student innovation and entrepreneurship.
“We know our students are innovative, collaborative problem solvers. This is a great example of what they can achieve when we provide avenues for them to develop those skills and connect them with the right supports,” said Kathryn Wallace, Interim Director of Education, York Region District School Board.
“Community engagement is a key priority for York University, so to be able to partner with the YRDSB and mentor innovative and driven students like Vanessa and Adam is a very exciting opportunity for Innovation York,” said Sarah Howe, Director, Innovation York
Fostering external relationships in support of student innovation and entrepreneurship is part of the Board’s Modern Learning Strategy.
York Region District School Board is the third largest school district in Ontario with over 123,000 students in 176 elementary schools and 32 secondary schools. York Region students consistently perform above average in provincial testing and the Board is one of the top achievers in Ontario. For more information about the York Region District School Board, please visit the Board website and follow @YRDSB on Twitter.
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