Cold Lake student Named on Minister’s Youth Council

Congratulations to Jennifer Belanger from Cold Lake High School for being selected for the Minister’s Youth Council. Jennifer was one of 32 students chosen for the council, which will provide the Education Minister with input on education issues.

Education Minister David Eggen issued the following statement to congratulate students selected for his new Minister’s Youth Council:

“I am excited to announce that selection for the 2017-18 Minister’s Youth Council is now complete – and the list of all 32 council members is posted on the Alberta Education website.”

“Students in grades 7 through 12 from across Alberta make up the 2017-18 edition of the Minister’s Youth Council. They are passionate about sports, the performing arts and the environment. They volunteer for churches and mosques, community centres, animal shelters, hospitals and libraries. They are entrepreneurs and community organizers, Model UN representatives, photographers, accomplished public speakers, martial arts experts and cooks. They also have experiences in a wide range of types of education – from public school to home-schooling – and have participated in student engagement at every level. Though their backgrounds are diverse – from rural to urban – these incredible young people are united in their passion for education and their desire to ensure that every Alberta student is given the best opportunities for success.”

“I am already looking forward to our first meeting in the fall when we get to roll up our sleeves and begin discussing important education issues. Student perspectives are so important to the success of our education system. We have to work together to protect and improve education and make life better for Alberta students.”

Quick facts

• Recruitment for the Minister’s Youth Council took place between February-May, 2017. All junior and senior high students from across Alberta were eligible to apply.
• 232 junior and senior high students from across Alberta applied to be part of the Minister’s Youth Council.
• Minister’s Youth Council members will attend three meetings in Edmonton on the following dates:
  • Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2017
  • Feb. 2-5, 2018
  • May 4-7, 2018

Congratulations to the 2017/18 Minister’s Youth Council:

• Amber Sayed, Edmonton
• Amelia Flaherty Martin, Edmonton
• Arooj Hamid, Peace River
• Ash Sanjay, Calgary
• Asha Nenshi Nathoo, Calgary
• Bailey Dunbar, Fort Saskatchewan
• Bilan Abdulkadir, Brooks
• Breagh Mason, Red Deer
• Caelyn Basaraba, Whitecourt
• Christopher Polowy, Edmonton
• Damon Van de Graaf, Lethbridge
• Daniel Felipe Tirado-Ribero, Medicine Hat
• Daniel Syed-Chaudhry, Chestermere
• Declan Cayanga, St. Albert
• Dustin Edgi, Edmonton
• Emerald Robinson, Sherwood Park
• Fajar Khan, Fort McMurray
• Gabriella Scaman, Spruce Grove
• J’Lyn Ramsankar, Sherwood Park
• Jennifer Belanger, Cold Lake
• Jeremy Marten, Fort Chipewyan
• Julianna Davis, Lethbridge
• Laura Somers, Calgary
• Lauren Voisin, Calgary
• Leo Huang, Calgary
• Liam Lorrain, Red Deer
• Nalyn Tindall, Camrose
• Olivia Sekulic, Rycroft
• Tarynne Ho, Sherwood Park
• Ursella Khan, Red Deer
• Vivica Addo, Edmonton
• Zoe Huffer, Canmore

Students on the Minister’s Youth Council will share their diverse student perspectives and provide input on education issues. They bring a broad range of life experiences, knowledge and skills from all types of schools across Alberta.

Council members will attend three meetings in Edmonton in September, February and May.

Thank you to all 232 junior and senior high students from across Alberta for submitting applications. With so many exceptional applicants, the decisions were very difficult to make. Please be proud of your passion for leadership and desire to make a difference in Alberta’s education system.