Montréal, May 15, 2014 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal closed the 18th edition of Operation Back to School last night during a ceremony held at Ubisoft. Ten $1,500 scholarships were awarded to persevering high school students in the metropolitan area who took part in the program, which took place from March 1 to April 30. During this time, close to 150 professionals from the Montréal business community went back to school to make over 300 presentations.
“The Board of Trade has always cared a great deal about the success of youth, because they are the future of our city,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “Every year, we are pleased to see that our members share this conviction and take action for school retention by participating in Operation Back to School. One hour in a classroom can create a spark that restores the confidence and hope of young people in their future.”
“This program gives students a chance to draw inspiration from the motivating backgrounds of business people and better understand the realities of the job market and the challenges they will face in their careers,” Michel Leblanc said. “They see the effort and determination that will be required of them so that they too can have a brilliant career.”
To close the 18th edition of Operation Back to School, with the support of its ambassadors, the Board of Trade awarded ten scholarships to students who have distinguished themselves for their perseverance in school. They were selected by a random draw among nominations submitted by teachers. The scholarships will be deposited in a Universitas registered education savings plan.
“For these young people, a $1,500 scholarship is worth much more than its face value,” Mr. Leblanc said. “It gives them the means to pursue a postsecondary education and the career of their choice. But more than that, the scholarship is a source of pride and accomplishment.”
The following students from high schools and community organizations were recognized:
- Kendrix Avendano, école secondaire Saint-Laurent
- Victor Bertrand Ouellette, école secondaire Père-Marquette
- Willsburg Césaire, école secondaire Amos
- Ronit Dhar, école secondaire Saint-Henri
- Vanessa Forgues, Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Huntingdon
- Kee'Shawn Giles, LaurenHill Academy (Junior Campus)
- Caroline Grenier-Collard, centre Gédéon-Ouimet
- Deborah Kabagema, école secondaire Évangéline
- Kenslee Sheildon Charles, Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Côte-des-Neiges
- Mélissa Trieu, école d'éducation internationale de Laval
Operation Back to School is made possible through the financial support of Montréal Relève and the participation of its GOLD ambassadors: ArcelorMittal and Leger – The Research Intelligence Group, as well as its SILVER ambassadors: Comptables professionnels agréés de Montréal, EY, L’Oréal Canada and Ubisoft. The Board of Trade also thanks its association partners: Academos E-mentoring, Youth Fusion, Montreal Hooked on School and Universitas.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity, and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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