Student Voices/A Personal Reflection: Forging the Next Generation of Leaders and Innovators through Involvement in the FPSPI

By  Naima Faraj-Hottenroth

Secondary V student

Royal West Academy  

Many students are branded as “gifted,” but what does this truly mean? For me, in elementary school, it meant that I was not challenged by the curriculum, and often found myself bored, distracted, and demotivated in class. My school, like many others, focused on building a strong support system for students who needed extra time or extra teaching, to ensure that no one would get left behind. Fairly so! However, myself and a few of my classmates often felt that we lacked the support we needed to thrive in the school environment, not because we needed more time on the curriculum but because we needed more enrichment and stimulation once we had exceeded the regular curriculum’s demands. 

Students at last summer's competition, including Naimia with the purple hair.

My decision to attend Royal West Academy for high school was in large part driven by this desire for a more challenging and engaging learning environment. And indeed, Royal West did provide this challenge, and more, in large part thanks to enrichment programs offered through the EMSB’s Gifted and Exceptional Learners mandate, whose dual goal is “ to help bright and talented students achieve their high potential and to provide the society with educated professionals” (Dr. Birlean, personal communication)

One of the enrichment initiatives in which I have participated for the last three years is Global Issues Problem Solving (GIPS). It is part of a larger program called Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI), which has been around for just over 50 years but has only been in Canada for three. I feel lucky enough to have been selected for this program, as it has been one of the highlights of my high school experience since then. Founded in 1974 by Dr. E. Paul Torrence, FPSPI aims to teach students the creative problem-solving process as well as how to apply it to imminent real-world issues that will be faced by our society in the next two or three decades. For example, over the last few years, we have discussed rising sea levels, challenges concerning Antarctica, autonomous transportation, the increasing robotic workforce, and even the video game industry. GIPS is one of four competitive programs at FPSPI, and it focuses on teamwork and collaboration to create the best and most humanitarian solutions. Its goal is to give us tools to work together, to improve the world, to resolve challenges we will be facing as we graduate and enter the workforce. The format of this competition keeps the students engaged, encouraged, and somehow hopeful in the face of the most daunting issues of our time.

Throughout the school year, there are two practice competitions, two qualifying competitions, and one final international competition that takes place in the United States and hosts students from fourteen countries. For the last two years and for this year as well, the competition will be held at Indiana University. Royal West was the first Canadian high school to participate in this competition, and in every year of our participation, we have sent at least one team all the way to the final level. I have had the personal opportunity to attend twice, and both times were some of the most enriching and inspiring trips on which I have ever been. Slowly, this program is gaining more attention in Montreal, and hopefully it will spread across Canada. 

However, last year saw budget cuts from the school board that nearly prevented us from being able to continue GIPS at all. When it comes to special education, enrichment programs are unfortunately last to be implemented and first to be axed when faced with budget cuts. My own experience can be testament to their importance, especially at the elementary school level, which often are the starting point of “Gifted Kid Burnout” or demotivation for students who are not pushed enough by the regular curriculum. These enrichment programs, and FPSPI in particular, are so important, because not only do they provide needed stimulation and enrichment for students who find themselves bored in class, but they also help form the next generation of leaders, creative thinkers, and innovators. They expose students to increasingly relevant topics to our present and future and give us the tools to make an impact on our world. They teach us how to deconstruct a large issue into manageable steps, a skill useful beyond competitive spaces. Last, but not least, they showcase inspiring Canadian talent on an international level. I encourage every school to bring GIPS to their students, so they can also experience its impact for themselves.

Student Voices: Royal West Academy Juvenile Boys basketball team headed to Barbados

By Alice Myers

 From April 3 to 12, Royal West Academy's Juvenile Boys basketball team will embark on its first-ever trip to Barbados. This adventure is the passion project of coach Paul Wasacz, who teaches physical education at Dawson College.

Watch this Instagram video

Coach Wasacz and his team.

Mr. Wasacz  comes from a basketball-loving family. His twin sons both play, as does his wife, Wanita Jones, who coaches the team alongside him. He maintains that his inspiration for coaching comes from having  really good coaches." This is one of his motivations for trying to raise enough money to fund this life-changing  trip for his players," he said. "I had coaches do that for me and I never forgot those experiences and the friendships I made on those trips. It's about giving opportunities to every player, regardless of their financial situation."

Bagging groceries at Super C.

Fundraising for the trip has been a significant undertaking. The Montreal West-based  team has spent weekends bagging groceries at Super C, hosting bake sales, and raffling off hockey tickets. The objective of these efforts is not solely to cover the entire cost of the trip ($45,000), but also, Mr. Wasacz says, to see the boys "bond and to work together towards a common goal…teams don't just work on the basketball court – they work off the court as well."

Currently, what teamwork means for the players is working together to make sure that every member of the squad is given the opportunity to go on the trip, regardless of whether or not they can afford it (the cost per person being approximately $3,400). "This is the way it should be," says the coach.

On the trip, the Wildcats will be playing four different organizations and schools and participating in two joint training sessions, which will include elementary- and high school-aged players. There is also a cultural aspect to the experience: apart from socially engaging with the other teams, the Wildcats will be exploring Barbados.

The team has already raised an impressive $10,000, although they only started fundraising in mid-October. Mr. Wasacz leads with a pay-it-forward mindset, wanting to give the Wildcats the same opportunities he was afforded at their age. He doesn't want this experience to stop with the juvenile boys' basketball team, either. "Maybe it's the juvenile girls that go next year," he notes, "or the soccer team."

 Before making future plans, though, the team must clear the hurdle of the 2026 trip's cost. Financial donations are essential, and those who want to give, along with those with access to resources such as goods or services are welcome to contact Coach Wasacz at pwasacz75@gmail.com. In his words, "it's amazing what community can do."

You can also donate directly here

 

 

John F. Kennedy High School Class of 1968 graduate shares his poetry

JDominic (Mimo) Trimarchi from the John F. Kennedy High School Class of 1968 wanted to share a poem he wrote for Remembrance Day, honouring those brave men and women who fought for our freedom as Canadians on the beaches of Normandy.

 Remember The Fallen Canadians And Those Who Returned

 

They fought as Canadians no matter their country of birth

 

They spoke with one voice and fought for one cause

 

That freedom is a right that no one can take away

 

They ran across the beaches of Normandy so we could walk in peace

 

Many had tears of fear in their eyes but always maintained strength in their hearts

 

Some made the sign of the cross hoping to make the sign of victory

 

What the enemy looked like did not matter but rather what it represented

 

They left as young Canadian men and women and only a few returned as soldiers of valour

 

 Many choose to forget and others choose to remind us of the price to achieve peace

 

They have  provided us the foundation to live in harmony and tranquility as Canadians

 

Their famous chant was

 

“We are proud, we are strong, we are Canadians”

 

“May their memory be a blessing and never be forgotten” (Hebrew Proverbs 10:7)

 

 

 

Student Voices: Isabelle Guy from Royal West Academy on why she supports the homeless

Royal West Academy Secondary II  student Isabelle Guy was named the EMSB Student of the Month for September 2025. Here is her acceptance speech at the last Council of Commissioners meeting. In 2023, at the age of 11, she began a project to support Montreal’s homeless population called Operation Hot Meals

Isabelle is presented  with her certificate.

First, I want to say thank you so much to the EMSB for giving me this honor. It means a lot to me, but even more, it means a lot for the project I started called Operation Hot Meals.

When I was in Grade 6, I really wanted to do something kind for people who don’t always have kindness in their lives — especially during the holidays. So, with the help of my friends, family, and Children’s World Academy, we were able to raise money to get this project off the ground and start handing out hot chicken meals to people in Montreal who are experiencing homelessness.

Each person doesn’t just get a meal, they also get a drink, a dessert, and a handwritten card. For me, the card is the most important part, because it reminds them that they are seen, that they matter, and that they are not forgotten.

So far, I’ve been able to serve hundreds of people every year with the help of Cote St-Luc BBQ and many kind supporters. But I also know it’s not enough because there are so many more people out there who need food, dignity, and hope.

This project has taught me that one small idea can grow into something much bigger, and that even kids can make a difference. You don’t have to be rich, or famous, or a grown-up to help people, you just have to care.

I want to thank my parents, my teachers at Royal West Academy, my friends, and everyone who has supported Operation Hot Meals. I want to thank Mr. Walker and Ms. Baylis, who believed in me and this idea from the very beginning when I first went to them about it. I also want to thank the people we serve, because they’ve taught me how strong and brave a person can be, even when life is really hard.

My hope is that this project keeps growing, and that it inspires other kids and even adults to do something kind in their own way. Because together, we can make the world a little bit warmer, a little bit brighter, and a little bit more loving.

Thank you so much.

EMSB Alumnus Profile: Jeremy Schafer-Abisdris is the part-owner of a successful physiotherapy clinic in Montreal

Jeremy Schafer-Abisdris, who attended Merton Elementary School in Côte Saint-Luc and Royal West Academy in Montreal West, is a co-owner of  Kinatex Sports Physio CSL/NDG at Decarie Square.

Jeremy Schafer-Abisdris

Jeremy graduated from Merton in 2010 and Royal West in 2015.  He then continued his studies at Dawson College in Health Science from 2015 to 2017.  "Growing up I always had a passion for exercise and wanted to pursue a career mixing my science background and my love for training," he says. "This led me to pursuing both a Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Physiotherapy at McGill from 2017 to 2021."

Inside the clinic.

In 2021 Jeremy joined the Kinatex CSL/NDG team,  becoming a part owner two years later. "At Kinatex CSL/NDG, we have a unique approach to rehab by mixing a combination of corrective exercise, weight training and manual therapy to help address the root cause of the patients pain instead of just treating their symptoms with only passive therapy.,"  he explained. "We emphasize an active approach that empowers our clients to achieve their goals and go beyond temporary pain relief. We are one of the only clinics in the area that has a full gym/training studio attached to our clinic allowing us to go above and beyond traditional therapy. We also offer a variety of supplemental services such as massage therapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, occupational therapy, personal training and nutrition. We are proud to be serving the CSL, hampstead, NDG and surrounding communities for almost 20 years. We are uniquely positioned at Decarie Square, offering easy accessibility to all ages in the area."

 

Some of the exercise equipment.

EMSB Grad Launches Innovative Platform to Transform Student Involvement

Education extends far beyond the classroom – from student council meetings to robotics competitions, from cultural events to sports tournaments. These experiences shape students’ growth and create lasting memories, yet they often go undocumented.

Royal West Academy graduate Athavan Thambimuthu (Class of 2018), along with his McGill TechAccel teammates Rehean and Joerex, set out to change that. Together they built CLAVA – a platform designed to simplify how student clubs and events are managed, while giving students a verified digital record of their extracurricular involvement.

With tools for event organization, ticketing, and membership tracking, CLAVA helps clubs run more smoothly. At the same time, students can preserve a portfolio of their leadership roles, volunteer hours, and achievements – a valuable asset for future applications and career opportunities.

CLAVA has already been piloted with community organizations and is now supporting more than 20 university clubs. The founders’ goal is simple: to make student life easier, more inclusive, and more recognized.

For Athavan, the inspiration traces back to his days at Royal West Academy. The competitions, performances, and friendships he experienced at Royal West left a lasting impact — and a determination to make sure today’s students never lose those memories.

What CLAVA Offers 

CLAVA gives students a digital portfolio to showcase every leadership role, volunteer hour, and club achievement. From organizing school dances to leading debate teams, these accomplishments are documented and ready for university applications or job opportunities.

The platform centralizes all school and club activities in one place. Instead of checking multiple websites and social media pages, everything lives on CLAVA – making it simple to discover events, buy tickets, and stay connected.

For club executives and event organizers, CLAVA provides powerful tools including QR code check-ins, automated ticketing, and member management – eliminating the hassle of coordinating across different apps and spreadsheets.

Why CLAVA Matters Now

Universities and employers increasingly value extracurricular involvement alongside academic performance. Yet without proper documentation, these achievements often fade away after graduation. CLAVA ensures every contribution is preserved and celebrated.

Built by students who understand these challenges firsthand, CLAVA transforms how clubs operate and how students track their growth throughout their educational journey.

Join the Movement

CLAVA is now available for EMSB students and clubs to explore. Sign up today to start building your portfolio, discover upcoming events, and connect with your school community in a whole new way.

Visit clava.ca to create your free account and see how CLAVA is revolutionizing student involvement.

Student Voices: Looking Back at the EMSB Leadership Camp

 By Ciara Thun

 Secondary IV Royal West Academy Student

For many years, the EMSB has encouraged  students to step out of their comfort zones through various activities, clubs, and other learning experiences. One of these activities is the EMSB Student Leadership Camp: a three-day event, planned entirely from scratch and executed each year by students. Located in the Laurentians, Camp Papillon hosts students from Grades 7 to 11 as they learn important  leadership skills and meet new people. 

For many, camp begins as a nerve-wracking experience, though it quickly shifts into a welcoming community — a home away from home. Given how short the camp is, it may be hard to believe that long-lasting connections and friendships can blossom. Initially, the kids can be a little shy, but by the start of day two, the magic happens: students begin participating in activities, sharing stories, and greeting people they've never met before.

The organizers worked diligently, beginning to plan the camp months in advance. They come up with games and puzzles for the group, choose interesting and inspirational keynote speakers, and prepare fun activities like the dance and bonfire — they bring everyone together.  Those who attend "Camp Pap" tend to come back every year until they graduate, often finding their final year to be  especially emotional, considering the profound impact the camp has had on them. During the 2025 edition, several of the graduating organizers gave heartfelt speeches about how the camp had shaped them and changed their lives forever. When asked what their favourite part of camp was, delegates gave a myriad of answers. While some explained the “deep talk” sessions — where they realized they weren’t alone in their struggles — another said it was “the positivity being spread, and the friendships made between everyone getting out of their comfort zones.” Behind each of the different answers, however, the reason was the same: it all comes back to feeling accepted. 

The lessons of camp last beyond the moment in which the  buses pulled away. Delegates, animators, and organizers  return home with lasting life skills and new outlooks —        including confidence, empathy, optimism, and a willingness to spread positive change in their schools, communities, and home lives.  The EMSB Student Leadership Camp offers so much to its participants, thanks to its overwhelmingly positive environment.   When asked how camp had affected their lives, Eden, one of      his year's animators, said, "It changed my perspective on the world — that though there is good and bad in it, there is a whole generation that is willing to choose good.” And that is     u      ltimat       ely what Camp Pap is all about: creating a new  generation of kind and empowered leaders who believe in both community — and each other.