Media Advisory
July 17, 2019
For Immediate Release
Young Canadian leaders travel to United States as Youth Ambassadors
OTTAWA – The United States Embassy in Ottawa, in partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh, World Learning, and Fulbright Canada, is pleased to announce the selection of 13 outstanding Canadian youth community leaders for the 2019 Youth Ambassadors Program.
The selected participants hail from across Canada. They earned a place in the Youth Ambassadors Program through an open competition, based on their proven commitment to leadership and community involvement.
Participants will travel to the United States on July 17 for a three-week program to explore themes of community service, civic education, leadership development, and social inclusion. Their program begins in Ottawa for an orientation at the U.S. Embassy. From there, they will travel to Plattsburgh, NY, for 12 days of interactive workshop sessions and home stays. The Youth Ambassadors will visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum in Hyde Park, NY, and conclude the program with five days in Washington, D.C. In Washington, they will meet with officials from Fulbright Canada, the Department of State, and the Embassy of Canada to the United States. After they return home, Youth Ambassadors will design, construct, and implement follow-on service projects in their schools and communities.
The 2019 cohort of Canadian Youth Ambassadors includes:
- Shona Arsenault, Hampshire, PEI
- Benjamin Bolduc, Levis, QC
- Emmy Curtis, Abbotsford, BC
- Eshana Gohil, Yellowknife, NT
- Kevine Ishimwe, Ottawa, ON
- Timothy Lu, Edmonton, AB
- Ben Mackay, Sydney, NS
- Thea Malaso, Winnipeg, MB
- Pascal Morimanno, Fredericton, NB
- Julie Ou, Vancouver, BC
- Madison Pudlat, Coral Harbour, NU
- Marissa Rice, Makkovik, NL
- Brae Stout, Turtleford, SK
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. For additional details on the Youth Ambassadors program, visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/youth/programs/ylp/current-youth-leaderships-programs.html
Youth Ambassadors are available for interviews after their program, upon request.
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