Leah Cho graduated from Walnut Grove Secondary and aspires to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She intends to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, and later continue her studies to earn her PhD to become a professor. Despite an intense schedule of working fifteen hours per week and taking a rigorous course load including AP and French immersion program, Leah remembers what is paramount: service to those in need. She founded a not-for-profit organization for refugees by offering piano lessons in Coquitlam with the intention to help ease the stress off refugees. She also volunteers at the local hospital as a Volunteen and volunteered as a student facilitator for the Red Cross Beyond the Hurt Program. Leah’s initiatives with the Red Cross Beyond the Hurt Program reflect vital 21st century issues in our society today.
Jennifer Vuong graduated from Aldergrove Community Secondary School. Though not having a usual graduation year, she is happy to participate in her school’s virtual ceremony. Jennifer is the recipient of the Governor General award at her school and she can hardly wait to start her Bachelor of Science at UBC. Passionate in sciences and humanity, Jennifer wishes to learn more about the research fields and volunteer for medical camps with her university friends. After completing her degree, she hopes to become a biomedical engineer to design medical equipment and medicine for the vulnerable. She is ready is take a leap toward a new chapter of her life!
Ella Davidson, after graduating from Langley Fundamental Middle Secondary School, will continue her education at the University of British Columbia to study psychology and eventually become a clinical psychologist. In pursuit of her goals, she has been dedicated to her academics while balancing her community and school activities. She has a passion for mental health advocacy, which started through leading the first mental health campaign at her school: “Let’s Chalk About Mental Health”. This event motivated her to take on a larger role as a mental health advocate through being involved with Jack.org, starting a Jack Chapter, initiating events that promote mental health and becoming a youth ambassador at Kelty Mental Health. In addition, Ella has used her experiences as a competitive gymnast and diver to become a coach, judge, mentor to younger coaches and athletes and volunteer at Fraser Valley Diving and White Rock Gymnastics. Ella has contributed to the community as volunteer at Langley Memorial Hospital during the past two years in acute and long-term care. As a musician, she has played the piano for fifteen years and the flute for six years; she has further explored her passion of music through participating in her school music department in the concert band, jazz band and orchestra in two school musicals. Ella has shared her skills with others through volunteering to play at seniors’ homes and teaching children to play instruments.
Cassidy Cardle graduated from Walnut Grove Secondary School and next year will be attending The University of British Columbia to study Psychology. She is hoping to someday pursue a career in clinical counselling specializing in child development. She has enjoyed being a part of her high school's cross country, track and field, and soccer teams and will be continuing her track and field career as a UBC Thunderbird. Cassie began race walking in eighth grade and is grateful for the many opportunities it has presented her over the past five years. She has been able to travel to new places representing British Columbia and Canada. Last year, Cassidy was honoured to represent Canada at the NACAC U18 Track and Field Championships in Queretaro, Mexico.
Throughout her time at Walnut Grove Secondary, she was involved in various volunteer opportunities that revealed her passion for mentoring others. For the past four years she has been coaching race walk at her high school. She is so grateful to have been able to introduce so many students to a sport to which athletes are not often exposed. It has been an extremely rewarding experience for her watching athletes find confidence and success qualifying for the BC Track and Field Championships. Along with coaching, she has enjoyed being a mentor to incoming grade 8s for the past two years. Cassidy helps them make the adjustment into high school as smooth as possible and offers them support throughout the year. She is also in charge of her school's Kiva account, a nonprofit organization that loans money to entrepreneurs hoping to escape the poverty cycle. Loans often are used to buy farm animals, start businesses, and pay for education. In her spare time, Cassidy enjoys baking and this year created a food and nutrition blog called "Nourish to Flourish" where she posted recipes and promoted healthy relationships with food.
Una Chang is an active citizen in her school and her community. At school, her involvements include being the President of the Student Council and an executive member of the Humanitarian Club, as well as the Gator Leadership Club. In her community, she represents the youths at Walnut Grove Secondary School at the City of Langley Youth Advisory Committee and acts as the youth representative in the City of Langley Arts and Culture Task Force. This fall, she is excited to attend Trinity Western University’s Nursing program.
Lida Magnus is a recent graduate of Langley Fundamental Middle Secondary School. Throughout her time in high school, she excelled in musical performance. She was a leading member of the Langley Ukulele Ensemble for four years. In that time she travelled to Hawaii, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and throughout British Columbia to perform. In addition, Lida played the bass for her school’s music ensembles and in the Langley Symphony Orchestra. She was also the lead in her school’s musical Frozen, portraying Anna, but the shows were postponed due to COVID-19.
Lida has also been playing the piano since she was 5 years old, and is currently working towards achieving Level 10 in the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Lida is also involved in the community. She is a member of the Langley City Youth Advisory Committee and the Langley City Crime Prevention Task Group. She has also volunteered with Kimz Angels and partnered with them for the ‘Destigmatizing Homelessness’ educational event she hosted in January. Lida has also been an active member of her school’s community as a member of student council, leadership, and by doing the morning announcements. Lida aspires to go into Law as a final career destination, and is going to UBC to earn a Bachelor of Commerce degree in the fall. She thanks the Rotary Club of Langley for its graciousness and generosity for giving Langley students this opportunity. She hopes to be involved in Rotary some day.