The U.S. Embassy, in conjunction with the State University of New York (SUNY) in Plattsburgh and Fulbright Canada, is pleased to announce the selection of 15 outstanding Canadian youth community leaders and two Canadian adult educators for the Youth Ambassadors Program.
More than 150 people across Canada applied for this program. The selected participants represent a variety of backgrounds and hail from across Canada. They earned a place in the Youth Ambassadors Program based on their proven commitment to leadership and community involvement to bring about positive change. They will receive funding to travel to the United States for three weeks to explore the themes of civic education, community service, leadership development, and entrepreneurship. They will first travel to Ottawa for orientation at the U.S. Embassy on July 20-21 and then will travel to Plattsburgh, Hyde Park, and New York City, NY. They will finish the program in Washington, D.C., on August 9. In Washington, they will meet with senior officials of the Department of State and the Embassy of Canada. After they return home, Youth Ambassadors will apply what they learned by implementing service projects in their own schools and communities.
Since it began in Brazil in 2002, the U.S. Department of State Youth Ambassadors Program has expanded to 25 countries to bring together high school students and adult educators to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities. During the program, Youth Ambassadors assist American volunteer and community service organizations, learn about and experience American culture through homestays, and build links with American civil society and schools. The students gain new leadership skills and perspectives to take back and apply to their own service projects in their home communities. For additional details on the Youth Ambassadors Program, visit exchanges.state.gov.
The students participating from Ontario are: (A list of all Canadian participants can be found below)
Students:
- Samuel Angulo, Markham, ON
- Ajantha Nadesalingam, Toronto, ON
- Tehya Quachegan, Thunder Bay, ON
Youth Ambassadors are available for interviews before and after departure upon request. Media organizations that have a presence in New York and/or Washington may arrange coverage of the group’s program. Please contact Jennifer Young to make arrangements. Photo requests can also be accommodated.
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Media Contact:
Jennifer Young
U.S. Embassy Ottawa
Tel: 613-688-5315
Email: youngjm1@state.gov
2015-2016 Canadian Youth Ambassadors
| First Name | Last Name | City, Province |
|---|---|---|
| STUDENTS | ||
| Atlantic Canada | ||
| Jack | deGooyer | Hammonds Plains, NS |
| Phoebe | Mason | Fredericton, NB |
| Steven | Rideout | Conception Bay South, NL |
| Ontario | ||
| Samuel | Angulo | Markham, ON |
| Ajantha | Nadesalingam | Toronto, ON |
| Tehya | Quachegan | Thunder Bay, ON |
| Quebec | ||
| Antoine | Tremblay | Mount Royal, QC |
| Western Canada | ||
| Omolola | Ajao | Thompson, MB |
| Joel | Morin | Prince Albert, SK |
| Anayat | Sidhu | Calgary, AB |
| Megan | Metz | Kitimat, BC |
| Ariel | Pan | Burnaby, BC |
| Christina | Smith | Port Hardy, BC |
| Northern Canada | ||
| Ashley | Kalluk | Arctic Bay, NU |
| Nessa | Sallerina | Gigoa Haven, NU |
| ADULT EDUCATORS | ||
| Atlantic Canada | ||
| Stephanie | Babineau | Memramcook, NB |
| Ontario | ||
| Lorenzo | Dragonieri | Mississauga, ON |
