The Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board is pleased to welcome the 2024-2025 Student Trustees.
Meet Grade 12 student Noah Sorgini from St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School and Grade 12 student Carla Khalil from St. Jean de Brébeuf Catholic Secondary School.
Recently, Noah and Carla visited the Board office, and had the opportunity to share their vision and goals for their term.
Noah is driven by a deep sense of servant leadership. "I am constantly looking for ways to embody the qualities of servant leadership and deliver a positive impact to my peers and school community. Being a Student Trustee allows me to be involved in this way by representing my fellow students on the Board of Trustees. As a student leader, I immediately took interest in running when I originally heard about this position," he says.
Carla was drawn to the role by the opportunity to gain insight into decision-making processes and contribute a student's perspective. "What motivated me to run for this position is mainly the experience I would receive. Understanding and learning how decisions are made to benefit students while also imputing a student's point of view is what drew me to this position," she notes.
Both Student Trustees have identified particular issues of interest to them. Noah is focused on advocating for Catholic education, while also tackling the challenge of student engagement in the face of distractions like cellphones and social media. “He believes there are opportunities to enhance learning by exploring more effective ways to integrate technology into the classroom.”
Carla is committed to promoting the dignity of the human person within the school community and addressing the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on students' mental health. "Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all is crucial. The pandemic has left lasting effects on students' well-being, and the board can continue to support this by increasing access to counseling services and promoting self-care practices," she emphasizes.
Staying connected with their peers is a priority for both Noah and Carla. Noah plans to use various channels, including social media, to engage with students and encourage them to share their concerns. "I plan on engaging with the broader student community by being approachable and accessible to students throughout the entire school board. I will use various channels, such as social media platforms, to connect with my peers.” he says.
Carla proposes using online surveys to gather feedback, ensuring that student voices are heard. "It is very important to engage with the broader school community to ensure their concerns and ideas are heard. and acted upon by the school board. An effective way to do this is by creating online surveys specifically for students, that can collect data about topics that may be a concern for school communities," she suggests.
Looking ahead, Noah is considering a career in engineering, driven by his passion for math and science. "My post-secondary plans are mostly uncertain as of right now. I have always had a passion for math and science, especially physics, so I would like to pursue an education and future career in engineering," he shares.
Carla, meanwhile, plans to pursue a degree in Medical Sciences with a focus on Diagnostic Imaging. "My primary plan for post-secondary is to attend university to pursue a degree in Medical Sciences, with a specific focus on Diagnostic Imaging. I am excited about this path because it combines my interest in healthcare and a cleaner, more sustainable environmental workforce," she notes.
Board Chair Patrick Daly indicated that “he and his fellow Trustees welcome Carla and Noah and have every confidence that like their Student Trustee predecessors will serve as outstanding ambassadors of our Catholic School System. We are eager to work with them in support of our shared commitment to “Place Christ and the teachings of the Catholic Church at the centre” of students learning experiences.
