PaigeLawson London,ON Age:19 Motivatedbyexperience,PaigeLawsonhasclearobjectives:Iwanttohelpreducethe stigmaofmentalillnesssostudentsarenotafraidtoacknowledgethattheymaystruggle fromanxietyandsoteachersandstaffcanbetterunderstandandsupportstudentsgoing throughthis.PaigeleadtheDREAMprojectDirectResourcesforEducation AlternativesandMentalHealthand,throughherefforts,ithasbecomearecognized supportsystemwithintheThamesValleyDistrictSchoolBoardandLondonDistrict CatholicSchoolBoard.DREAMprovidesmentalhealthworkshops,personalresources, andeducationalternativesthatequipLondonshighschoolstudentswiththetoolsto recognize,preventandsupportmentalhealthdisordersandtoeasetheirtransitionto postsecondary.Paigeaffirms,Hadthistypeofinformationbeenavailabletome,my schoolandlifeexperiencewouldhavebeendrasticallydifferent.

ydifferent. RaphaelLeclaire Pierrefonds,QC Age:19 RaphaelsTop20sponsorpoignantlydescribeshisimpact:Somepeoplecomeintoyour lifeandleaveasquietlyastheyappeared.Othersshowupwhenyouleastexpectbut markyourlifelikeyoucouldneverimagine.RaphaelLeclaireissuchaperson.At15, thisstarathletequitallhisextracurricularactivitiesandpostponedhiseducationwhen diagnosedwithrelapsednonHodgkinslymphoma.YetRaphaelfoundanoutlet:inspired byformerMontralCanadienSakuKoivu,hededicatedhimselftofundraisingforcancer research.RaphaelwastheofficialspokespersonforPedalforKidsin2008,a$750,000 fundraiser.Hestartedalettercampaignwhich,withinamonth,raised$50,000forthe SakuKoivuFoundation,and,notstoppingthere,Raphaelraisedanother$33,000and rode100kmwithLanceArmstronginthe$2milliondollarTourdeLance. IvetBell Vancouver,BC Age17 NowonderKitsilanoSecondaryawardedIvettheirExcellenceinServiceAward!Her over600hoursofoutstandingservicehasimpactedherowncommunityandmany othersaroundtheworld.ElectedPresidentoftheVancouverDistrictStudentCouncil afteroneyearasastudentrepresentative,Ivetinitiatedmanyprojects,includingBeyond Borders,whichaidsorphanagesinPeruandVietnamanddrewthefullsupportof Vancouversentire,18schoolstudentbody.IvetalsofoundedTheWalk.Now

2010Top20Under20Bios

 successfullyreplicatedbyotherschools,thisseriesofwalkathonsraisesfundsfora Namibianorphanageandenablesstudentstovolunteerabroad.At16,Ivets accomplishmentsandacademicexcellencegarneredherearlyacceptancetoHarvard, CornellandUBC,andherextensivecapacityforleadershipresultedinherelectionasthe firstCanadianrepresentativeontheNationalYouthCouncilofAmerica. AbidVirani Guelph,ON Age:19 Attheageof17,AbidViranicofoundedStudentReachInternational(SRI)toprovide opportunitiesforstudentstomakecontributionstotheglobalcommunity.Sincethen,SRI hasraisedover$50,000forvariouscausesincludingHIV/AIDS,women'sempowerment andeducation.Abid'sfocustodayisReachLesotho,anacademicandleadershipprogram thatisproducingadocumentarywithacreedthatyouthcanmakeanimpact.Abidenjoys writingandisworkingonabookthathehopeswillbetitled,"FindingHope."Aftera profoundlymovingvisitwithAbidtotheTsepongHIV/AIDSclinicinLesotho,wherethey witnessedtheimpactofSRI,MayorBrendaHalloranofWaterlooexpressesherfirm beliefthatAbidisnotonlyanagentforchange,butacatalystforamovementofglobal citizenship. PerriTutelman Richmond,BC Age:16 Perriisguidedbyherpassiontohelpchildrenwithspecialneeds.Sincetheageof14,she hasbeenacontributingresearcherattheB.C.CancerResearchCentrewhereshe developedanovelcombinationcancertreatment,whosedistinctionsincludefirstplaceat the2009CanadaWideScienceFair.Perriscurrentresearchexamineshormonesand autoimmunedisorders.Beyondthelab,PerrifoundedtheCuresforKidsFoundation,a nonprofitorganizationthatraisesfundsandawarenessforpediatriclifethreatening illnesses.Intheirfirstyear,theCuresforKidsFoundationraised$15,000tohelpfunda procedureroomatB.C.ChildrensHospitalandrecentlyreceivedanationalinnovation awardfromtheArtofLivingFoundation.Perrisfuturegoalsfocusontreatingpediatric illnessesbysignificantlyadvancingresearchandthefundingthatsupportsbothresearch andcare. JustinVanderheide Oakville,ON Age:17 Communityrecreationprogramsprovidevitalopportunitiesforallparticipants,and servicedeliveryisacriticalpieceofthepuzzle.ItwasntenoughforJustinthatevery lifeguardheworkedwithjustacceptedanineffectivereportcardsystemfortheir swimmers.HetookituponhimselftowriteSwimgen,acomputerprogramtomake

 reportcardseasytocreateandcoordinate.Aftertwomonthsofdevelopment,the programlaunchedinearly2010andisnowonlineatwww.swimgen.net.TheTownof Oakvillehasrolledoutitsusageacrossalltheirswimmingprograms,andJustinis pressingtohaveSwimgenadoptedacrossthecountrybySeptember.Justinhasalso developedSportMadeSimple,awebbasedapplicationtohandlesportsleague registrations. ElyseSimpson Oakville,ON Age:17 Elyseisbuildinghercareerasasolomusicianandherperformancestodateincludean engagementatoneofTorontospremiermusicvenues,theSoundAcademy.Elyses businesssmartshavepowerfullyconnectedherloveofmusicandrespectforhard working,yetlargelyunknownmusicians.Proposingacollectivevoiceforofftheradar artists,ElysesbusinessplanwonthesupportofHaltonRegionandreceived$5000in fundingviatheOntarioGovernmentsSummerCompanyprogramandtheBusinessPlan Competition.Withinonemonthoflaunchingherbusiness,Elysesignedtwoartists!Her JangleRecordsisnowestablishedasanindependentlabelgearedtowardsfolk,rock, alternativeartists.ThroughJangleRecords,Elysemarkets,packagesandsellsmusic; booksshows;directsphotoshoots;andproducesartistsmaterials.Elyseisacertified MusicBusinessspecialistfromtheBerkleeCollegeofMusic. NeilKalra Saskatoon,SK Age:19 RotarysYouthLeadershipProgramhashonedNeilsleadershipabilitiesandtaughthim importantlifeskills.HisactivitiesincludetheSaskatchewanMathChallenge,science fairs,theModelUN,athletics,andchoralandjazzband.Recognizedwithnumerousyouth awards,Neilexemplifiespositivelifestyle,dedicationtoschoolandcommunity,andthe abilitytoovercomelife'schallengeswhileinspiringothers.Neilisnowfocusingontwo projectsconcerningcelldeathinatherosclerosisandlymphomas.Itishisbiggesthopeto contributesignificantlyinthefuturetotheevolvingworldsofscienceandtechnology. Neilsresearchmentorsays,Heisarolemodelforothersintendingtopursueresearch whichisbothclinicallyrelevantandpractical.Witha2ndPlaceintheSanofiAventis BiotalentChallengeOpenCategory,heswellonhisway. SapnaShah Markham,ON Age17 At16,SapnabecameasummerresearchstudentatMcGillUniversity,andherpassionfor scienceandcreativethinkingweregalvanized.Shedesignedamicroencapsulatedlive yeastcolumnbioreactorandtesteditsfeasibilityinremovingureaduringkidneyfailure. Sapnasresearchfocuswasinspiredbyherfriendsailingparentwhowasdyingofkidney

 failure.Sapnaeducatedherselfandlearnedthatkidneyfailureleadstouremia; accumulationoftoxiclevelsofureaandotheruremictoxins,affectingover1.9million peopleinCanadaalone.SapnasreviewarticlewaspublishedinMay,2009inJournalof Biologics:TargetsandTherapy.Heruniqueandpracticalsolutiontokidneyfailure,an orallyadministeredcapsuleofmicroencapsulatedliveyeastcellsholdspromiseforthe millionsofpeoplewhosufferfromkidneyfailure. SofiaOke Guelph,ON Age17 In2009,theCityofGuelphrecognizedSofiawiththeirTop40Under40Awardforher outstandingvolunteerismwithHabitatforHumanity,St.Joseph'sHealthCareCentre,Red Cross,andherlocalblooddonorclinic.Anathletewithstrongbusinessskills,Sofias competitivesoccerteamnamedherMVPandatDECAs2009internationalbusiness competitionsheplaceintheTop10.Witnessingafamilyfriendendurecancer treatments,herpassionforscienceinspiredhertoimprovetheapplicationand effectivenessofchemotherapies.Sofiaandherpartnerworkedfortwoyearstodiscover howtomakecancerouscellsmoresensitivetochemotherapydrugs,resultinginlower drugdosagesbeingneededandreducedsideeffects.TheirinnovationearnedGoldatthe WaterlooWellingtonScienceFairandPetroCanadasInnovationAwardattheCanada WideScienceFair. CodyONeil Kelowna,BC Age17 NationalChampioninWendysClassicAchiever,Codyperformstohisutmost. Demonstratinghistalentsinthesciences,languages,drama,andathletics.Withfirstsat nationalandinternationalsciencefairs,hisabilitytomakeeffectivepresentationshas revealedaskillfulpublicspeakerasheshedsnewlightonclimatechange.Codys researchintothispressingissuetakesanentirelynewandtosome,controversial,point ofview:heexaminestherelationshipbetweenastronomyandclimatechange,a combinationtypicallyoverlooked,ifnotignored,bythescientificcommunity.Histheory ofOrbitalForcingposesarelationbetweenvariationsintheEarthsorbitandlongterm climaticchange.Italsoattemptstocorrelatesunspotcyclestoshorttermclimatechange. Placing1stoverallatthe2009TaiwanInternationalScienceFairandtheAustralian NationalYouthScienceForum,Codysworkisgainingacceptanceandrecognition. TonyKwon London,ON Age:17 Asagradeninestudent,Tonywantedtolessentheeffectsofmicroorganismsonhuman health.TheUniversityofWesternOntariolethimusetheirMicrobiologyand Immunologylabtoresearchagloballyubiquitousandlifethreateningbacteria

 streptococcuspyogenes.Hisworksshowsthatfreshgarlicinhibitsstreptococcal colonization,decreasesaspectsofthebacteriasvirulence,andcouldultimatelyprevent ortreatgroupAstreptococcalinfections.Untreatedstrepthroatcancauseacute rheumaticheartdiseaseandislinkedtoabout500,000deathsindevelopingcountries annually.Imaginethemajoradvancementifsimplychewinggarlicwouldpreventeven 1%ofthesecases.ANationalScienceFairGoldMedallist,TonyrepresentedCanadain Tunisiaatthe2009InternationalScienceFairandhelpedhisteamwintheEnrique PadillaAwardforprojectquality,spirit,organizationandoverallcontributiontothefair. GaryKurek FortKent,AB Age:18 Withcancerdebilitatingseveralmembersofhisfamily,Garywantedtomaketheirlivesa littleeasier.HecameupwiththeRollatorWheelchairHybrid(RWH),amotorizingkit thatcanberetrofittedtoanyfourwheeledrollingwalkertocreateacombinationwalker andelectricwheelchair.RWHisthefirstpoweredmobilityproductthatletsusers transformtheirsingleabilitywalkingaidsintomultifunctionaldevices.Costingofa conventionalelectricwheelchair,RWHnavigateswellinstandardhomes.Garys inventiongarnered17CanadaWideScienceFairawards,includingtheBestinFair NationalChampion.Over$70,000andthousandsofhourshavegoneintodeveloping RWH,whichisnowinthefinalprototypestage.Garyscompany,GETMobilitySolutions Inc.,holdsthepatentontheproductandplanstolaunchitin2010. DavidCastelino Mississauga,ON Age:19 A2008ManningInnovationAchievementAwardwinner,Davidhasshownapassionfor science,innovationandcommunityinvolvementsincechildhood.Leadershiproleswith theSMARTNetworkandtheMississaugaMayorsYouthAdvisoryCouncilaremature extensionsofhisearlyinterests,whichincludedcreatingholographicimagesand improvingfoodlabelingsystems.In2006,Daviddesignedanefficient,affordable alternativetosiliconsolarcellsadyesensitizedorganicsolarcellthatuses photosynthesistocreateelectricalenergyatahigherrateofreturn.SolTileisDavids latestinvention,athinfilmsolartileusingsolarpaintmadefromorganicdyes,whichcan easilyfitexistingroofing.Thistileoffersaninexpensive,sustainablesourceofrenewable energyforusearoundtheworld.ThePatentandTrademarkOfficeSocietyhasawarded Davidwithapatentcitationforhisbreakthroughinvention.

 YanYu Calgary,AB Age:19 YanYuhasputenvironmentalinnovationonthemapatQueensUniversity.Asanintern withtheMainCampusResidentsCouncil(MCRC)SustainabilityOffice,Yanbrought visionandenergytoanindifferentCouncil.Successfullyadvocatingthecreationofa SustainabilityCoordinatorposition,Yanpromptlyassumedtheroleandtransformed MCRCintooneofthegreeneststudentgoverningbodiesinCanada.Heformedoneofthe largestenvironmentalgroupsoncampus,theMCRCGreenTeam,totackleenvironmental issueslikerunningasuccessfulweeklycampuscleanupcrew,reducingcafeteriafood wastage,installingindoorvegetablegardens,andestablishingawormcomposting systeminresidencethefirstofitskindinCanada.Heresonemeasureoftheirsuccess: inthefirstfourmonthsofthecleanupcrewsexistence,recyclablewastecollection increasedby57%overthewholeofthepreviousyear. ClaudiaCovalciuc Halifax,NS Age:19 NowarolemodelforCapeBretonyouth,Claudiahaslivedalifeofunimaginable hardship.GrowingupinOntario,ClaudiahadtoleaveCanadaattheageofelevenwhen hermotherwasforcedtoreturntohernativeRomania.Forthenextfiveyears,Claudia worked,unabletoattendschool.Yetsheneverlostherloveoflearningnorherbeliefthat educationwouldfreeherfrompovertyandexploitation.At16,shemadethedifficult decisiontoleavehermotherandreturntoCanada.Withonebagofclothing,Claudia arrivedaloneattheHalifax,NSairport.Despiteimmensechallenges,shegraduatedhigh schoolwithhonorsandtheHarrisonMcCainScholarship.Today,Claudiaoffersyouth motivationaltalks,andinterpretativehikesandexpeditionswhileactivelyreinforcing healthylifestylechoicesandpersonalwellbeing. BrianWong Vancouver,BC Age:18 In2008,Brianthoughtalittlejobcreationwouldhelpoffsettheuniversityfeescoming hisway,sohestartedabasicwebdevelopmentcompanycalledAerMarketing.Hereally didntseeafullyfledgedbusinessorastarproductemerging!Heandhisteamcreated Followformation,asimpleuserdiscoverytoolforTwitternovices.After4weeksof development,AerMarketinglaunchedFollowformationandrecorded30,000+follows thefirstmonth.Mashable,theworldsthirdmostpopularblog,FastCompanyandthe Examiner,allpraisedthenewproduct.Followformationssuccesshasattractedmany newclients,includingBestBuy.BrianssponsorfortheTop20Awardsays,Brianhas gotsomethingonBillGatesthinkBillspassionfortechnologymeetsSteveJobsneed

 forinnovationandthrowinabitofMillennialdeterminationtochangetheworldand youvegotMr.Wong. EmmaGraham Ottawa,ON Age:15 LivingasachildinaheavilypollutedenvironmentinChina,Emmafoundbreathing difficultandprovokedherwishtocreatesafe,effectivechemicalproducts.Bygrade9, nowlivinginCanadaandvolunteeringinapharmaceuticalcompanylab,shediscovered herloveoforganicchemistryandsoonwonaYouthScienceTeamCanadaAward.Since 2009,Emmabeendevelopinganaturalpesticideenhancertominimizepesticide resistanceratesininsects,andtherebydecreasetheoverallenvironmentalimpactof pesticides.Withseveralfirstsinsciencecompetitions,Emmaattendedthe2010Intel ISEFinCalifornia,winningafourthplaceintheEnvironmentalManagementcategory. Alsoartisticandathletic,Emmaisanaccomplishedviolistandrower,performingwith theOttawaYouthOrchestraandrowingfortheOttawaRowingClub. StphanieBrisson Qubec,QC Age:19 Stphaniessponsorsayssheisacreativeleaderwithexceptionaldedicationand contagiouspositivity.StphanieisonamissiontoexposeasmanyyoungQuebeckersto therewardsofparticipatinginscientificcompetitions.At16,Stphanieenteredthe CanadaWideScienceFairandcapturedawardsanddistinctions.Followingsuccessat ShadValleyastheleaderofateamof25,sheknewthatherschoolcouldbetterpromote thesevaluableopportunitiestoitsstudents.Now,afterStphaniesefforts,allnotebook packageshandedoutatCollgeFranoisXavierGarneauincludeinformationand successfulteamshavebeenwinningacclaim.Knowingthatgirlsneedspecial encouragementtogetintoscience,StphaniebecameacommitteememberofLesfilleset lessciencesandismakingspecialeffortstoengagegirlsandshareherpassionforthe sciences. AlyKassimLakha Toronto,ON Age:16 Alyhaswonmanyaccoladesforhisentrepreneurialeffortsandcommunityservice.As JuniorAchievementsCompanyPresident,TopSalesperson,OutstandingLeaderand EntrepreneurinOntario,herepresentedCanadaatJAsInternationalConferencefor YoungLeaders.AnInternationalBaccalaureatehonoursstudent,hehasactedasaVPin theModelUN,aTutorLeaderinHorizonsTutoring;andisaBigBrother.Alywas chosentobeProjectLeaderofhisteamscompanyinShadValleysbusinesscreation competition.Basedontriplebottomlineprinciples,theirCocoNetcompanyresearched thedevelopmentofanantimalarialnetmadeof100%biodegradablecoconutfibreand

 muchlessexpensivethancurrentlyavailablemosquitonets.Recognizedwithmany awards,theycapturedthetopprize,theprestigiousRBC/ShadEntrepreneurshipCup plusaproposalfromaninternationalcompanywantingtotaketheproducttomarket.