Aya S.

******. Twelfth Year Photography would like to congratulate Aya on being the first recipient of the Twelfth Year Bursary.  We wish her all the best in the future and hope this little bit can help her in whatever way she needs. ******

My name is Aya Sharif, and I am a student at F.W Johnson. In 2016, my family and I got the opportunity to move to Canada to start a new chapter of our lives. Arriving in Canada, I was faced with many challenges due to the lack of English skills but with lots of dedication and hard work, I was able to speak, write, and read in English within six months. After gaining the language, I started giving back to the community. I started volunteering at the Regina Food Bank and became a youth mentor at the Regina Open Door Society in 2018. I have also been a SSWIS peer leader within my school since grade 10. Currently, I am a member of the RCMP youth advisory committee where we strive to spread awareness and educate people about topics such as racial discrimination and bullying. Throughout my high school career, I have been able to find a balance between work, school, and being an active member of my community. I’ve maintained an overall average of 94 and above since grade 9. My life experiences have taught me to stay motivated, to be open-minded, to be accepting of others, and to be responsible. I am very thankful to my family that has been there for me at all times. After graduating high school, I plan to start working towards becoming a pharmacist while continuing to be an active member of my community.