{"id":16831,"date":"2017-03-22T17:58:36","date_gmt":"2017-03-22T21:58:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/?p=16831"},"modified":"2017-03-22T17:58:36","modified_gmt":"2017-03-22T21:58:36","slug":"leading-women-and-girls-form-backbone-of-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/leading-women-and-girls-form-backbone-of-community\/","title":{"rendered":"Leading Women and Girls form \u201cbackbone\u201d of community"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Brock Weir\t<\/strong><\/p>\n

As pianist Rachel Reimer sat down at the keys and sang a heartfelt rendition of \u201cAll You Need is Love\u201d at this month\u2019s Leading Women\/Leading Girls Building Communities awards ceremony on International Women\u2019s Day it was, as emcee Vivian Risi pointed out, a very appropriate selection.
\nThere was indeed a lot of love in the room as Newmarket-Aurora MPP Chris Ballard recognized outstanding women who have made a difference not only in Aurora and Newmarket, but in the much wider world.
\nNot only is Shaylyn Benaissa a Leading Girl, she also helps build the resources to train four-legged leaders for those in need as a volunteer with the Lions Foundation of Canada Purina Walk for Guide Dogs.
\n\u201cShaylyn is a girl that demonstrates exceptional community leadership and helps to improve the lives of others,\u201d read her citation. \u201cShaylyn has participated in the Ride to Conquer Cancer and has spent time fundraising for girls and women who are suffering from concussions. She is an inspiration to her peers and her community.\u201d
\nA Leading Woman helping foster the Leading Girls of tomorrow is teacher Nadia Gaurino, who was honoured for showing her students how to be the change they want to see in the world.
\n\u201cNadia is a teacher who not only speaks to her students about the need to support your community and the world around you, but she shows them through her actions. Nadia has helped organizations like the Lions Club with donations for their annual Christmas Baskets, and has worked hard to encourage students to participate in their food and toy drive. Nadia also spends her summers volunteering at an orphanage in Costa Rica. Last year, she raised enough money to purchase them a trampoline along with basic necessities. Nadia displays high levels of leadership and is a fabulous role model.\u201d
\nEducators were also represented by Lisa Walters, Vice Principal at Aurora Montessori School at the top of Industrial Parkway North.
\n\u201cLisa demonstrates to the students and staff what it means to truly care for those around you. Lisa inspires the students to be positive and support the people in your community. Lisa encourages the students to write stories that emulate virtues such as kindness, respect and trust. Her colleagues look to her for guidance and know that she truly has everyone\u2019s best interests at heart. She continues to inspire the faculty to get involved and make the world a better place.\u201d
\nGetting involved in the lives of students not only happens in the classroom, but also in the wider school community, as Catherine Capek can attest.
\n\u201cCatherine is a person who gives her time with great passion and care for others. Catherine is a valuable and integral part of her children\u2019s school and out in the community. She has organized pancake breakfasts, organizes the fall fair for the children, and is an advocate for young girls. She continues to raise awareness for local causes such as the Food Bank and the Annual Book Drive for the Children\u2019s Book Bank. She is an inspiration to the children and the faculty.\u201d
\nMaimoona Ashraf might still be a youth, but this Leading Girl has a maturity which allows her to share her story with her peers.
\n\u201cMaimoona impresses all who meet her with her ambition, intelligence and moving personal story. Maimoona has overcome significant hardships in life and she now speaks about her experiences and shares her story in the hopes of educating, supporting and inspiring community members to make lasting changes. She is a champion for other young women who experience family and cultural violence. Maimoona is living proof of the strength of the human spirit.\u201d
\nTanin Monzavi, on the other hand, uses her energy to inspire young women to share their challenges \u201cand live life with integrity.\u201d
\n\u201cTanin\u2019s efforts to improve the lives of women and girls in her community start with her ability to educate those at a young age about the importance of equality between men and women. Her strengths as a leader comes from her sincere desire to learn from others and strive for excellence. Tanin actively promotes issues such as equality, diversity, preventing violence against women, and eliminating racism and discrimination.\u201d
\nHelping tackle these issues on the frontlines are members of the York Regional Police, three of whom were honoured as Leading Women this month.
\nOfficer Robyn Kassam was heralded for using her position to \u201cinspire and educate young women.\u201d
\n\u201cRobyn\u2019s participation in the Run for IT high school program has promoted overall health and wellbeing among the young ladies who attend. Robyn has become a mentor for many of the participants. She inspires the girls to strive to the best of their abilities and encourages and supports them in all their endeavours.\u201d
\nRebecca Boyd was also celebrated for her dedication in providing young girls with the tools to \u201chelp them become strong, smart and bold.\u201d
\n\u201cRebecca currently chairs the Internal Support Network \u2013 Women in Leadership group. Rebecca is a huge advocate for breaking down barriers and promoting participation of girls and women in public service. Rebecca is a true champion for girls and encourages them to strive for success.\u201d
\nIn addition to her regular service with the York Regional Police, Karian Guimond has taken on the role as a mentor \u201cwho truly cares about the young girls and women in her community.\u201d
\n\u201cAs an officer, she is engaged in the mental health support unit and supports young women experiencing mental health issues. Karian also designed a girls group with Girls Inc. and social workers to assist at-risk girls in high school. Karian\u2019s mentoring of other women shows how our efforts can improve the lives of others.\u201d
\nEmpowerment is the watchword for Edna Bozhori, an area student whose leadership within her school was noticed by nominators.
\n\u201cWhile maintaining her honour roll status in all grades, Edna is the president and founding member of the school\u2019s Health Occupation Studies chapter. She is also co-president of the school\u2019s WE committee. This group of students is involved in a wide number of activities that help empower students to bring positive changes in our community and across the world.\u201d
\nTaylor Piotrowski has followed a similar path, focusing on projects close to home in serving as president of the Aurora LEOs Club, the youth chapter of the Lions Club.
\n\u201cTaylor was the force behind the fundraising campaign with her fellow LEOs to donate money to Rose of Sharon. Together with her peers, they were able to donate $400. Taylor has volunteered her time at the Aurora Street Festival and even though she has had to leave the organization for school, she continues to show what giving back means.\u201d
\nAs does Marsha Fox, who has dedicated herself to several local organizations that address the issues of homelessness and nutrition.
\n\u201cEvery week you can find Marsha helping to serve breakfast with the York Region Food Network. She also volunteers with the St. John Chrysostom Church community bread program and Inn from the Cold. Marsha mentors many of the guests at Inn From the Cold, especially older women and volunteers on Christmas Eve and New Year\u2019s Eve, making sure everything is set up for those in need.\u201d
\nMentorship has also been key to Gloria Rezler\u2019s efforts to make our community a better place. Recognized for her work in mentoring young women to get involved, she was celebrated as a \u201ctireless community worker and advocate.
\n\u201cGloria was a founding member of STORM (Save the Oak Ridges Moraine) and is an advocate for environmental issues everywhere. Gloria has served her community well and is an outstanding role model for girls and women of all ages.\u201d<\/p>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As pianist Rachel Reimer sat down at the keys and sang a heartfelt rendition of \u201cAll You Need is Love\u201d at this month\u2019s Leading Women\/Leading Girls Building Communities awards ceremony on International Women\u2019s Day it was, as emcee Vivian Risi pointed out, a very appropriate selection.
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