2009 Toyota Earth Day Winners
Earlier this month, Toyota and Earth Day Canada recognized some of Canada’s most promising environmental leaders. Fifteen exceptional high school students won accolades for their efforts to make everyday Earth Day.By Aparna Allam
Earlier this month, Toyota and Earth Day Canada recognized some of Canada’s most promising environmental leaders. Fifteen exceptional high school students won accolades for their efforts to make everyday Earth Day.
By Aparna Allam
Toyota and Earth Day Canada established the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship Program in order to nurture environmental commitment and foster a sense of ecological responsibility and pride.
“How Canada’s youth engage with the world now says a lot about how they’ll shape the world tomorrow,” said Yoichi Tomihara, President of Toyota Canada Inc.
To date, the program has awarded approximately $500,000 to 100 outstanding young people. Let’s meet a few of our Regional Winners:
Taryn McKenzie-Mohr, Fredericton, NB
Taryn is a multi-talented young woman with a passion for the environment and youth advocacy.
She is one of the youngest Canadians to be trained by Al Gore to deliver presentations on An Inconvenient Truth. In addition, Taryn is a founding member of a development project in Kenya. She has fundraised for brain tumour research, organized student film festivals and spoken at the United Nations Convention on Climate Change.
Taryn is also a top academic student and the instructor of her school’s swim team.
Alison Lee, Toronto, ON
Alison is an outstanding leader who has been active in environmental causes since grade ten. She founded her school’s EcoTeam, coordinated eco-footprint surveys and organized green campaigns.
Alison developed Green Screens – a youth environmental film festival, and co-coordinated Operation Litterless in Toronto. She is an organizing member of the STEP council (Students of Toronto for Environmental Progress) and a gold-medal winner at the 2007 Canada-Wide Science Fair.
A true all-rounder, Alison is the Team Captain of her school’s varsity field hockey team and managed an average of over 90% throughout high school.
Elizabeth Ferreira, Winnipeg, MB
Elizabeth’s dedication to the environment is apparent in the strides she has made as a Student Researcher and Research Assistant with Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
She has won several awards for her work including a Gold Medal at the Canada Wide Science Fair, and 1st place at the Manitoba Sanofi-Aventis Biotalent Competition. Elizabeth also developed the first non-invasive method of analyzing mercury levels in Ringed Seals. These methods are now being applied by Field Researchers.
Her portfolio also includes community education through work as a Wetlands Educator/Mentor and National Youth Advisory Committee member.
Want more info on the Earth Day Scholarship Program? Check out www.earthday.ca/scholarship
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