Young Canadian Leaders Headed to U.S. for Youth Ambassador Program

The U.S. Embassy, in conjunction with the State University of New York (SUNY) in Plattsburgh and Fulbright Canada, are pleased to announce the selection of 18 Canadian youth and three Canadian adult educators for a Youth Ambassadors Program.

Over 150 people across Canada applied for this program and 21 participants were selected from a variety of different backgrounds. All of them have shown their leadership potential and a drive to better themselves and their communities. They will receive funding to travel to the U.S. for three weeks to explore the themes of civic education, community service, youth leadership development and entrepreneurship. They will first come to Ottawa for orientation at the U.S. Embassy from July 21-23 and then head south of the border to Plattsburgh, Hyde Park and New York City, NY. They will wind up the program in Washington, DC on August 10. Once they return home, Youth Ambassadors will work to apply what they learned by implementing service projects in their own schools and communities.

Since starting 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.

Those participating from Ontario are: (A full list of all Canadian participants can be found below)

Students

 
Students
First Name Last Name Location
Yasmine Alkadri Ottawa, ON
Rashmi Jasinghe Ottawa, ON
Fumi Shibutani Ottawa, ON
Heather Marshall Perth, ON
Brianna Dabrowski Embrun, ON
Sophie Lauzon Vankleek Hill, ON
Kevin Gelinas Sudbury, ON
Alicia Sims Scarborough, ON
Randilynne Urslak Oxford Mills, ON

Youth Ambassadors are available for interviews before and after departure upon request. Please contact Jennifer Young to arrange a time. 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

2014-2015 Canadian Youth Ambassadors

2014-2015 Canadian Youth Ambassadors
First Name Last Name City, Province
STUDENTS
PEI
Cameron Davies Belfast, PEI
Ontario
Yasmine Alkadri Ottawa, ON
Rashmi Jasinghe Ottawa, ON
Fumi Shibutani Ottawa, ON
Heather Marshall Perth, ON
Brianna Dabrowski Embrun, ON
Sophie Lauzon Vankleek Hill, ON
Kevin Gelinas Sudbury, ON
Alicia Sims Scarborough, ON
Randilynne Urslak Oxford Mills, ON
Alberta
Jemima Balbastro Calgary, AB
Sean Sander Lethbridge, AB
Alison Lee Coaldale, AB
British Columbia
Kar-Hing Ng Vancouver, BC
Michelle Lam Vancouver, BC
Cynthia Tang Vancouver, BC
Mobolaji Tunde-Oladepo Richmond, BC
Emma Tetrault Vernon, BC
ADULT EDUCATORS
Quebec
Gilles Sauvageau Saint-Casimir, QC
Western Canada
Kevan Cameron Sherwood Park, AB
Karen Hoover Salmon Arm, BC