Youth Bios

Passion Foundation is a Vancouver based registered charity dedicated to the empowerment and wellness of girls and young women 11-24 years of age in Canada.

With our money that we won from Y4S we were able to create this website to spread our health and sustainable food message to youth and their families. We were also able to recruit youth to work with us on a variety of segments from a terrific youth organization called the Passion Foundation. Below are their stories.

Alex
About Me: I was born and raised in Richmond Hill, Ontario and moved to Vancouver at the age of ten and since then have I grown to be a fan of the Vancouver Canucks. Throughout high school I competed competitively in volleyball, soccer, and hurdles in track and field and started volunteering for the Passion Foundation. In tenth grade I took part in the TREK Outdoor Education Program which sparked my interest in sustainability and enhanced my love for outdoor activities. I love running, biking, hiking, kayaking, skiing, traveling, taking photos, scrapbooking, and helping other people. I am currently studying Kinesiology at Simon Fraser University and I also have interests in Psychology, Education, Geography, and Nutrition. As a student I strive to be well-rounded and healthy.
My favourite foods: include pineapple, fruit smoothies and Greek souvlaki.
My Inspiration: My biggest role model is my mother because she is very supportive and inspires me to keep learning, to be grateful, and to be the best I can be.

Marie-Claire
About Me: I am a grade 11 student at New Westminster Secondary School.  I enjoy watching movies, playing soccer, camping and picking blueberries...yum! I also love learning about canadian history...and herstory!
My Favourite foods: blueberries, mixed berry and rhubarb pie, smoothies!
My Inspiration: George Stroumboulopoulos.. I really appreciate his show and what it has done for canadian television! I admire the way he interviews people,by taking the time to research his guests before they appear on the show. I am also impressed by the diversity of his guests: they range from movie stars to politicians to activists!

Laura
About Me: I’m a student at Kitsilano Secondary School. While I’m not at school, I play the cello, serve as a member of the Youth Philanthropy Council with Vancouver Foundation, rock climb, hike and bike.
My favourite foods: fresh sushi, berries (all sorts) and bagels.
My inspiration: Greg Mortenson, a former mountaineer who has dedicated his entire life to building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. His work ethic and commitment to serving others is extremely inspiring.
I love living in Vancouver, British Columbia and am committed to contribute to my community.

Hannah
About Me: I am 17 years old and love playing violin, exploring forests, listening to music, napping, reading in hammocks, walking barefoot and learning new ways I can help protect the earth. I believe in the power of self sufficiency, as well as the power of community. I believe that our health is directly influenced by the health of the earth. 
Favorite foods: bananas and tea. Peanut butter, banana and honey sandwiches make a nice snack. I also enjoy shepherd’s pie and blueberries.
My Inspiration: David Suzuki has become a huge inspiration to me because of his broad wisdom and unprecedented determination. The way he views the world gives light to our challenges, without making them seem impossible to overcome.

Patricia
About Me: Is a high school student in Vancouver. Having immigrated there as a kid, she has discovered the joy of hiking through tranquil forest and has acquired a passion for environmental sustainability. She believes in the importance of taking care of the Earth that humans, and all living things, rely so deeply upon, and that is the motivation behind her initiative to conduct a greenhouse gas audit at school. When not involved in her school's yearbook production and tech crew, she loves trying new recipes and foods and playing the piano. My Favourite activity is reading a good book, strolling in fresh clean air, or both at the same time.
My Favorite food: apples!
My Inspiration: being around other engaged individuals

Kelsey
About me: is a student activist and writer from Rockridge Secondary in West Vancouver, BC.  Kelsey likes to think of herself as the "practical environmentalist", and is concentrating mainly on energy solutions, waste diversion, and sustainable food. In her spare time, Kelsey likes to travel, try new things, and listen to music from SubPop to the sixties. 
Favorite foods: If she were given the option to eat sushi at every meal, she would gladly oblige
My greatest inspiration: Each day, Kelsey strives to embody the characteristics of her inspiration, John F. Kennedy: vision, the ability to inspire others, and the courage to stand up for what is right."