Esinam Adjaklo
Unstoppable force:
Life often gives us the most valuable lessons, at the most unexpected times.
Tessa T.
The neurodivergent alchemist
As psychiatrist Elisabeth Kübler-Ross says, “The most beautiful people… are those who have known defeat, suffering, struggle, loss, and have found their way out of the depths.” These words ring especially true for Tessa T., who at 23 years old,…
Ira Mariano
Some superheroes wear scrubs
Ira Mariano is the 2023 Student of the Year award winner, and is a graduate of Stenberg College’s Post-Graduate Diploma in Canadian Nursing.
Courtney Rigel
To serve and protect
Born in Kelowna, but raised in the small community of Innisfail, Alberta, helping others has always been important to Courtney Rigel. Growing up in this town of just 7,700 people, she wanted to become a doctor, but after a year…
Farah Surani
Farah’s determination and compassion
When Farah Surani first arrived in Vancouver, the crisis facing the unhoused community stirred strong emotions in her. Like many others, she initially held misconceptions about homelessness, assuming it was a matter of choice related to substance use and addiction.…
Serena Michajluk
Feel the fear. Do it anyway.
Watch Serena Michajluk confidently walk into a room, and you’d never imagine that her “past self” was a mere shadow of the person she is today. At 44 years old, Serena has finally found fulfillment in her career and her…
Taylor Mccarthy
How Taylor’s stars aligned
At just 21 years old, Taylor McCarthy is proud of her career as a Licensed Optician in Red Deer, Alberta. She works closely with her mentor and boss, Philip Ripley, an experienced Licensed Optician with over four decades of experience.…
Ashley Singh
Finding success in self discovery
In 2020, when the pandemic swept across the globe, our familiar world underwent an unfamiliar transformation. Schools and businesses transitioned online, shops were closed, and the public found themselves with an unexpected amount of personal time. Many used this time…
Ruth Carla Aqui
Passion beyond borders
Fueled by profound purpose, Carla’s journey took her from the Philippines to Saudi Arabia, and finally to Canada, each step grounded in dedication and resilience. From a young age, Carla witnessed health care in action: her grandfather’s struggles with kidney…
Carol Mohanraj
A nurturer’s journey
From a young age, Carol Mohanraj knew she was meant to be a nurturer. She was inspired by the nurses and teachers in her family, witnessing the importance of caregiving. Motivated by the compassion she saw around her, Carol followed…
Mavy Alisian Alvarez
Born to nurture
On life’s many paths, fortunate are those born with a strong, unshaken sense of direction. Mavy Alvarez is one of the lucky ones, whose unwavering purpose came early in her life. As a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a…
Mahboobeh Eslamisamani
Starting over with heart and humility
Mahboobeh Eslamisamani is one of those rare human beings who dedicates their life to helping others. “I’m passionate about being there for my friends, family, neighbours, everyone,” she says. Dedicated to improving the lives of those around her, it was…
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