NEWS RELEASE
PICKERING COLLEGE
*************************
On Friday, April 30, Pickering College hosted a virtual pitch competition, the culminating project for the school’s Grade 12 students who spend their year taking action on the solution they have identified for their Capstone Project.
Every project is unique and students are supported in shaping their solution through university-level research workshops, debates, meetings with mentors and industry experts. The program concludes with the Capstone Project pitch day where students present their solutions to panels of teachers and professionals. Congratulations to this year’s finalists, including:
Sasha Au Yong – Newmarket, ON (winner)
Sasha wrote and illustrated her own children’s book to raise awareness and funds for Parkinson Canada. Sasha shared her book with Junior School students to celebrate World Book Day and looks forward to publishing her work in the near future.
Phillip Carson – Stouffville, ON (finalist)
Phillip designed his own app to encourage users to develop lifelong physical fitness habits. Phillip launched his app in the App Store (Apple) and plans to continue developing elements to enhance user experience and to also offer his app in the Google Play Store.
Nicholas Hansraj – Richmond Hill, ON (finalist)
Nicholas organized a riverside garbage pick-up to both protect our local environment and educate young people about the importance of caring for our environment. He is aiming to extend his idea to an Ontario-wide program that offers students volunteer hours for participation.
Thera Sze – Hong Kong (finalist)
Thera addressed youth mental health concerns by developing the Puma Challenge program – a program that offers Pickering College Senior School students opportunities to engage with weekly challenges designed to develop healthy mental habits. She hopes this program will scale up in future years to include Junior and Middle School students as well.
“We are so proud of all of our Grade 12 students and the innovative solutions and scalable plans they have put forward to tackle an issue of local or global significance,” says Julia Hunt, Senior Director, Strategic Innovation. “The experience they have gained over the last two years of their Capstone Projects – the final piece of the Global Leadership Program - will ensure they are well prepared for whatever the future holds.”
Pickering College welcomed two expert panellists to listen to the finalists’ pitches, ask questions and help to determine the overall winner. Melissa Mikel, Director of Education at Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies, said, “The creativity, passion, determination, and perseverance of each of these finalists shone through in their video presentations along with their live answers to the questions. I hope they are all celebrating in their achievement. I also hope every PC educator is celebrating – you are creating innovative learning opportunities that are creating positive change in our world!”
Fellow panellist, Kevin Peesker, President, Microsoft Canada, added, “What incredible students you have developed. I left the presentations today inspired! The work you are undertaking with the Capstone Project provides key foundational skills for your students to live a life of impact. Thank you very much for the invitation and the opportunity to witness future leaders of impact in action.”
*************************
