Lindsay Yun Li Bui [白立雲]
Northview Heights S.S., Toronto
Chung-Kotcheff Family Arts Award
Lindsay’s teacher described her as “very gifted musically, reaching a level of expertise in piano playing that many people can only dream of achieving.” Playing piano since the age of seven, she received her ARCT Performer’s Diploma in 2018. Lindsay has performed as a scholarship winner with The Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists at concerts, master classes, and fund-raising events. She placed first at: Canadian Music Competition, 2018; North York Music Festival, 2018 and 2019; CCC Music Festival; Toronto Kiwanis Music Festival; and, Markham Music Festival. A finalist at the Hanoi International Piano Competition and an honourable mention at the Chopin International Piano Competition in Hartford, she was a full scholarship participant at Pete De Grote Festival in the Netherlands. She is currently studying level 10 RCM in violin. Besides participating in numerous chamber ensembles, she has accompanied her church choir, played at residential homes and fundraising events, and taught private piano lessons, all while maintaining a 90 average in Grade 12.
Lindsay is studying Piano Performance at the University of Toronto.
Caitlin Wong [黃嘉瑩]
Bayview S.S., Richmond Hill
Dorothy Lu Community Services Award
As a dance performer, Caitlin has performed for many organizations and presided as an accomplished emcee at charitable events and galas. When she served as the president of the Toronto Hong Kong Leo’s Club (THKLC), a youth subsidiary of the Toronto Hong Kong Lion’s Club, she lead numerous initiatives, including a book drive for the Children’s Book Bank and a school library in Nepal; food bank programs; a Care Package Delivery program; optical care for children in developing countries; sponsorship teams for twenty-four children to receive cataract surgeries in Ethiopia and Nepal; and an international art and writing contest with entries from over 40 countries. She is the current president of World in Focus, THKLC, and chief financial officer for Prime Leaders Youth Collaborative. Her THKLC advisor stated, “Her work inspires others to follow. The results she delivered were impactful and meaningful. Many less fortunate benefitted.” Her Grade 11 International Baccalaureate teacher described her as being one of the best history students he has taught and noted her humility and well balanced lifestyle as a musician, dancer, and athlete.
Caitlin is studying Economics with AEO status at Western University and pursuing an MBA at the Ivey Business School.
Molly Yu [俞重旭]
Marc Garneau C.I., Toronto
University of Toronto Scarborough Academics Award
Molly was enrolled in TOPS, an enriched academic program for math and sciences, as one of only sixty students chosen from over 500 applicants. Molly stayed at the top of her class and achieved some of the highest marks in her grade. She challenged herself by taking the most difficult courses which brought her up to par with first- and second-year university courses. She was awarded Magnum Cum Laude and Magna Proficere, given to only a few students in the class. She scored in the top one percent of Canada in the Canadian Biology Olympiad and qualified as one of four students to represent Canada at the International Biology Olympiad in Hungary. For three years in a row, she placed first and second in HOSA, a health science competition, qualifying for its International Leadership Conference. There, she ranked top 20 internationally in her event. In grade 11, she took the SAT exam, achieving a score of 1580 out of 1600 and placing in the 99th percentile worldwide. Both her references spoke of her outstanding work as a piano instructor at Mon Sheong Foundation where she has been recognized for her dedication and commitment to seniors. She was a provincial synchronized swimmer with the Markham Synchro Club and on the school swim team.
Molly is studying Software Engineering at the University of Waterloo.
Brian Yang [楊燦]
Richmond Hill H.S., Richmond Hill
Murphy & Chung Chartered Accountants Athletics Award
Brian is an accomplished badminton player who has won many titles nationally and internationally. He is Canada’s youngest national champion for both junior and senior categories and Canada’s first ever Olympic badminton medalist. He has proudly represented Canada in all-world’s first-class team events: 2018 Commonwealth Games, 2018 Thomas Cup, and 2019 Sudirman Cup. Brian is ranked the top badminton player in Pan America and fourth in Junior Men’s Singles of the Badminton World Federation. The Yonex German Junior International Prix stated: “After winning over world best junior players from Netherlands, China, Malaysia, Thailand, badminton athlete Brian Yang has ONCE AGAIN advanced to semi-finals at one of the most prestigious junior events, the Yonex German Junior International Grand Prix! And Brian is ONCE AGAIN the only non-Asian player who secured a spot in the semi-finals.” One of his supporting letters noted that he has “remarkably balanced his athletic and academic demands and spends considerable time volunteering. He has made a splendid ambassador for his community and country.” His high school teacher and badminton coach reported: “Even when he was unable to represent our school, he still attended practices and helped out his fellow teammates.” She proudly referred to him as “Canada’s best and brightest badminton star.”
Brian is studying Kinesiology at McMaster University.
Kai Leong [梁英建]
Killarney S.S., Vancouver
Choi King and John C. Mah Memorial Innovation Award
From an early age, Kai worked as a teen advisor with the Vancouver Public Library to organize, facilitate, and promote events and programs for teens and youth. He worked as a student researcher for Senior Fall Risk and Alzheimer’s Disease, as a summer intern with Hatch Engineering designing and implementing infrastructure for five projects, and as a researcher with like-minded youth and industry professionals to create positive change in the program, Science World: Future Science Leaders (Research Stream). He developed a smartphone-based gait analysis system using Python algorithm and tri-axial accelerometer data to improve accessibility for seniors, an invention that has inspired him to continue in helping to improve seniors’ lives. Kai’s awards include gold and silver medals at Greater Vancouver regional and national science fairs, the International Summer School for Young Physicists Award, and eight upper level awards. Kai organized a local and independent Youth Ted Talks event as a member of a Youth Ted Talks committee and served as vice president of the Killarney Model United Nations Club, as chief marketing officer of the Killarney Business Competition Club, as well as a lead member of the Killarney Here4Peers Mental Health Club. Outside of school, he dedicates his leadership skills to mentoring students, serving as a key researcher for a program at BC Children’s Hospital, and connecting youth from across Canada in SHAD science and technology inquiry projects. His teacher highlighted his leadership and community contributions that impacted the school and the community, not only as a “wellrounded student but an excellent leader and team player.”
Kai is studying science at the University of British Columbia and pursuing a career pertaining to neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and treatment.
Jasmine Wu [武嘉明]
Lisgar C.I., Ottawa
Maximilian Dignity of Life Award
Jasmine’s reference stated that she is “always positive, always engaged, always insightful” and “an exemplary student.” Her other reference spoke of how she is highly motivated, dedicated, empathetic, and intelligent with a wonderful natural ability to connect and work with people of varying ages. As a volunteer, Jasmine worked with a grade nine science class, cited as an absolute asset to the teacher. Students trusted her ability and caring nature. This was part of her school’s Peer Tutor Program. As a volunteer at the Queensway Carleton Hospital, she interacted every week with patients of all ages, primarily elderly ones in the Geriatric Wing, using skills she acquired during a summer Health Sciences Hospital internship. As co-head of her school’s Biomedical Club, she led a group to educate others about current research, e.g., Canada’s opioid crisis, as well as training and encouraging others to support themselves with Kids Help Phone. To contribute to the global improvement of health, she volunteered abroad with MEDLIFE in underprivileged communities in Peru and witnessed the extreme poverty and lack of proper healthcare. While there, she triaged patients and helped prepare lab work, an experience that impacted her life. Besides being a long jump champion, a competitive skater, and an award-winning musician, Jasmine is driven by her desire to help those in need and unlike most people who only think about helping others, she actually does it, said one of her teachers. He added that her work ethic was unparalleled and her positive spirit contagious.
Jasmine is enrolled in the Bachelor of Medical Sciences Program at Western University.
Violet Cai [蔡舒揚]
Earl of March S.S., Ottawa
Fay and John Wong Defence of the Environment Award
Violet’s teacher supervisor for the Eco Earl Club noted that Violet more than demonstrated her dedication to organizing and implementing environmental initiatives as president of Eco Earl. She organized a school campaign to reduce textiles that end up in landfills by having staff and students bring excess clothing and textiles to school. She raised funds to donate to Oxfam Unwrapped for the purchase of supplies for vegetable gardens and a beehive. As head of finances for the Green Energy Vehicle Club, she helped create a vehicle to run on 100% renewable energy, her efforts resulting in the school and her receiving a Globally Awareness Award. At the National Student Commonwealth Forum, she represented the Republic of Rwanda with a focus on sustainable cities and communities. She is an Ecology Ottawa Youth Ambassador rallying the City of Ottawa to transform bus fleets to all electric buses by 2035. She was engaged in the Powershift: Young & Rising forum which addressed environmental issues directly affecting the rights of indigenous peoples in Canada. In her personal life, Violet models sustainable environmental practices and participates in events, such as UNAC World Environment Day, Waste Free Days, and Capital Clean Up, as an example to her peers.
Violet is enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Program at McGill University.