{"id":17849,"date":"2017-07-19T15:54:52","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T19:54:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/?p=17849"},"modified":"2017-07-19T15:54:52","modified_gmt":"2017-07-19T19:54:52","slug":"shahaed-named-2017-john-west-memorial-scholar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newspapers-online.com\/auroran\/shahaed-named-2017-john-west-memorial-scholar\/","title":{"rendered":"Shahaed named 2017 John West Memorial Scholar"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

In his lifetime, former Aurora mayor John West was awarded for his leadership, and nearly four years after his death, his legacy continues to recognize the leaders of tomorrow.
\nOne such leader is recent Aurora High School graduate Heba Shahaed, who was named the 2017 recipient of the John West Memorial Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship.
\nWith a value of $1,000, the scholarships were established with a bequest from Mr. West, who died in December of 2013. To recognize students who have made a positive impact in the local community and have set a good example for other young people to follow.
\nThis scholarship is just the latest award Heba has received for her leadership as she prepares to embark on her post-secondary career after receiving Magna\u2019s Give Back Award this past spring.
\n\u201cHeba recently graduated from Aurora High School and is attending McMaster University in the fall in the Life Sciences program,\u201d said Julie Stephenson, Youth Programmer for the Town of Aurora, last Tuesday as Heba was cheered on by friends and family. \u201cHeba was the president of her high school\u2019s Health Occupation Students of America Association and the Empowering Student Partnerships, Vice President of Equity Council, president of Student Council, an executive on her school\u2019s Relay for Life team and Member of the Town of Aurora Youth Engagement Committee.\u201d
\nThe testimonial continued from Gregory Peri, Acting Youth and Community Development Coordinator for the Town, before Mayor Geoff Dawe formally presented the scholarship.
\n\u201cHeba was the coordinator of her school\u2019s Peer Mentor program, which helped launch a student wellness campaign at her school using innovative design of exam anti-stress kits and activities meant to support mental health,\u201d said Mr. Peri. \u201cAs she has demonstrated exemplary dedication to our community and volunteered almost 1,300 hours in community involvement throughout her high school career, Heba is a dedicated leader with a personal passion for programs and initiatives that develop community and promote inclusion.
\n\u201cHer involvement in the Aurora Oral History project, in partnership with the Aurora Historical Society focused on bridging the gap between seniors and youth with the sharing of personal history and the preservation of our town\u2019s heritage. We are honoured to present to you the 2017 John West Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Award.\u201d
\nSpeaking to The Auroran as a recipient of the 2017 Give Back Awards, Heba told The Auroran that she dedicates herself to giving back to the community \u201cso that we can progress as a society.\u201d
\n\u201cI think it is my responsibility,\u201d she said, noting she is inspired to continue her work when she sees the impact her volunteerism has \u2013 and continues to \u2013 have. \u201cIn school, I began to see how my help and volunteerism made an impact and helped make a difference in the lives of many people, so I decided to explore different options to get involved, whether it has been through the Aurora Historical Society or with the Pen Pal program at the Aurora Public Library. It is something that makes me feel really good, made others feel really good, so I decided to continue.\u201d
\nAs noted, Heba will continue her studies at McMaster University with plans to become a medical doctor.
\n\u201cI want to continue volunteering wherever I go,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to give back, whether it is through volunteering at the hospital or spending time tutoring and helping out my peers, assisting teachers, with people living in the community \u2013 anything I can do to help and be a leader in my community I would like to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\"Facebook\"<\/a>\"twitter\"<\/a>\"mail\"<\/a>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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