An enthusiastic L.V. Rogers student has been shortlisted for a Canadian Living Me to We Award.
Natasha Bergman, 17, in one of three candidates nominated in the Youth in Action (13-17) category, which honours “a young person who is making Canada a better place to live and is uplifting the lives of other Canadians.”
“I was shortlisted because I made a change in my school and community,” said an elated Bergman.
According to her nomination, she noticed there was little support for girls in her school in younger grades around gender awareness, equality, and sexual health.
With support from her school counsellor, she started her school’s first women’s support group, older girls who provide positive mentoring and tutoring for younger students.
“It helps young women from Grade 8 to 12 transition into school and figure out what they want to do,” she said. “If they are having trouble at home, we show them they can have a safe place at school.”
Bergman has also brought student nurses and guests speakers to visit the group to provide training and answer questions. She’s also visiting middle school students to share tips with students about to enter high school.
The Grade 11 student is also part of Global Perspectives and has been involved with many other leadership initiatives.
“I love to help out the community. I love to help out people. It feels good to give back because I have had friends who have struggled,” she said.
The winner of the award will be determined by an online vote. To cast your virutal ballot for Bergman, go to bit.ly/1zNJtVb, but hurry — the deadline is May 8.
Winners will be notified next week and announced publicly at Toronto We Day and in the October issue of Canadian Living Magazine.
The magazine teamed up with Me to We co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger in 2005 to create the awards, which recognize “everyday ordinary Canadians making extraordinary impacts in our world.”