Vervegirls on the verge
Standing up for your beliefs can be hard, but don’t expect Chantal Calderone to take the easy way out.
By Kelsey Malenchak
Community InvolvementFrom mowing lawns and shoveling snow to helping with elementary school carnivals and dances, 16-year-old Chantal Calderone is making a difference in the world around her. At the moment she’s part of a committee at Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School attempting to raise money for Operation Go Home, a program that helps runaway children get off the streets and back into their homes.
On Bullying and Friendship
When Chantal moved from a small military base in Alberta to Ottawa
9 years ago, unpacking was the least of her worries. “I used to get bullied
a lot,” Chantal recounts. “I dealt with it by not caring what other people thought of me. I learned to do things because I liked them and not because other people thought it was cool.”
Overcoming bullies has made Chantal a stronger, more independent person. But she couldn’t have done it without best friend Emily Levesque. “Best friends are priceless,” says Chantal.
Emily agrees. “Chantal and I go way back—we’ve known each other since she moved to Ottawa. I guess it helped that we live so close to each other and, even though we’ve never gone to the same school, I’m at her house 24-7.”
Family Ties
Aside from her best friend, Chantal looks to family for inspiration. Her father, whose hard work has pushed Chantal to always strive to do her best, is the driving force behind her ambition. “I don’t want my doors to close because of money or not having the grades to do something,” she says.
Chantal hopes to visit Italy, her family’s native country, and experience the culture firsthand alongside her relatives
Future career
“I want to be able to share my happiness with people who need a little more sunshine in their day,” says Chantal, who hopes to become a nurse. “I’ve always known I wanted to do something that helps the community.”
Her $500 award is being donated to Roger’s House, a facility where children with severe illnesses can spend time with family. “One day I want to work in a place like Roger’s and hopefully make a difference in children’s lives,” says Chantal.
Advice to the World
“Don’t let other people decide who you are as a person. All that matters is what you think about yourself.”
ARE YOU AND YOUR FRIENDS READY TO BE THE NEXT vervegirls on the Verge? If you want to celebrate your friendship and get cred (meaning $500 for yourself and $500 for the charity of your choice) for all you do in your school and community. Go to vervegirl.com for more info and complete entry rules and regulations.
photography: Annemarie Gruden
