Alya Van Laer

In August 2024, I was selected as 1 of 35 youth from across the country to attend a week long conference in Edmonton. There, I learned how to organize events, manage a team, and promote bilingualism, all while speaking French. I then related this information to starting a Franco-Fun Club to promote French culture at my school. We connect with other French clubs from across Canada , and other French speaking students from Europe to practice conversational French, as per the clubs request. We also host French-speaking school community events, translate important documents (such as mental health and G.S.A Club informational pamphlets) and learn about opportunities for French-speakers in our city. In addition, we have a D.E.L.F. exam study group to support students writing the A1-B2 exams. With the groups help I was able to attain my B1 certification, and will write my B2 this year.

This unique opportunity allowed me to connect with local businesses and learn about the accessibility barriers currently existing in my community. After many insightful conversations, I chose to partner with a local non-profit theatre, the Paramount. We decided to facilitate monthly sensory friendly screenings, with support from Autism B.C, to address a current communal need. We have also applied for a grant to purchase audio/visual/processing devices that connect to the theatre's projection and sound system.

After completing over 100 hours of volunteering during my candidate year, I was crowned one of three City Ambassadors. I completed an intensive and competitive year, including four judged events. Out of eighteen candidates, I was awarded top mark bursaries in both public speaking categories. This unique opportunity is allowing me to complete an estimated 360+ hours of volunteering this year, be an active member of my community and travel across the province. I have learned how to professionally represent a society, how to handle completing tasks while networking with patrons and how to manage a busy schedule.

After serving a year on the Kamloops Junior City Government Council, I was given the opportunity to apply to represent youth of the province at the Union Of B.C. Municipalities. I was selected as one of two, to attend a full week of electoral speeches, minister meetings, and classes. Notably, I was given the opportunity to lead a meeting with the Minister of Education, Minister Singh. There, I presented alongside the chair of my school district, and city councillors. I became the first student to speak to the Minister of Education, approaching her about the overpopulation and stress facing high schools in my area. We left the meeting with a promise of a new high school. It was there that I found my love for politics and made meaningful connections.

My first year I was chosen to join a group of high school students from across the province in hopes of ending the stigma around law enforcement and youth. We learned about a plethora of issues facing students and got to pick on to address. I lead my team in creating infographics and a website about mental health issues with links to local resources from across the province. This resource was then implemented in school districts in the lower mainland and is still used to this day. The following year, they invited myself and a co-advisor back as an alumni, which was unprecedented.