Leaders of Tomorrow is a collaborative effort between the Rotary Club of Chilliwack, the Rotary Club of Chilliwack Fraser, and the Rotary Club of Chilliwack Mt. Cheam.
The program has been designed to recognize outstanding students graduating from high school in Chilliwack who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, citizenship, and achievement.
Each club selects its own “Leaders of Tomorrow” recipients, based on their embodiment of the Rotary’s “4-Way Test” principles: truth, fairness, goodwill, and benefit, and at the end of the academic year, all the recipients are recognized at a ceremony where scholarships are also awarded.
2022-23 G.W. Graham Secondary School
Rida is one of those rare, selfless students who can operate at an advanced academic level while juggling sports, leadership, service, and work.
Throughout high school, she has maintained straight A’s and earned the top academic award for her grade in 2019, 2020, and 2022.
Rida is the president of our G.W. Graham Kiwanis Key Club and has provided outstanding leadership for this very active club. Rida has also been a member of the Indigenous Leadership Club and Newspaper Club. She initiated a new school club, Ducks for Change, in her grade 10 year. Rida has been a leader on her school basketball team, having served as point guard, and has spent countless hours scorekeeping and assisting with coaching.
Her level of inclusiveness and empathy for her fellow human beings is mature beyond her years. She never stops giving 150% to all her pursuits. She really is one in a million.
Gavin Kheleh has been a member of the Graham basketball program for the past six years and has been a starting guard on the Senior Varsity team this season. Gavin graduates from the program this spring as one of our most passionate players in program history.
Gavin is an inspiration to other players through his excellent conduct on the floor. Gavin is a leader who motivates his fellow teammates and is one of our very best player coaches because of his love for the game.
Every player and coach involved with our program trusts and believes in Gavin, he is the person on our team that every player feels comfortable approaching with any challenges and or obstacles they may have during the season.
Off the floor Gavin is a leader in the school and community volunteering and helping with multiple different programs. Gavin has worked in the community with his church and has been a basketball coach working with TC basketball and the youth in the community.
Sophia has an essential quality for learning that comes through well in language class: she is resilient.
She has a growth mindset, and this is demonstrated in her active involvement in the school community.
She is a valuable member of the G.W. Graham Key Club, often not taking any recognition for the things that she contributes to on a regular basis.
She is a valuable member of the Key Club and a positive role model for the other members and deserves recognition for being an exemplary leader in her school community.
Mackenzie is a hard-working student who displays excellent self-motivation and ability in all his courses.
He is talented, generous, and well-rounded, and his accomplishments have earned him Honours and numerous course Awards of Excellence.
He is heavily involved in track and field as a participant at G.W. Graham and helps coach at a middle school for younger students.
He also volunteered at our recent Take Action Day by leading elementary aged students through a math related activity and has been an effective Math 9 peer tutor.
Tatyana demonstrates exceptional leadership qualities in all aspects of her life.
Her dedication to excellence can be seen in her work as a student, as an employee, and especially as a person.
She spent her entire grade 11 year of education in Ukraine helping families survive and escape the war-torn regions.
She always makes herself available to help Ukraine refugee students and staff feel welcome into our school community. Her plans after graduation include attending Capernwray Bible School in England for one year and eventually moving back to Ukraine to live with her family.
She has consistently exhibited unwavering dedication and steadfast commitment to her academic pursuits.
Philanthropic – she volunteers her time to many different organizations and has a genuine desire to make positive changes in her community.
She seeks to provide exposure of Indigenous organizations, news, and facts to celebrate, educate, and spread awareness.
Kind and inclusive to everyone; positively influences those around her.
Zach is always striving to improve as a musician and his work ethic makes him a role model for his peers.
Zach takes it upon himself to ensure the musicians around him know their part and understand what’s going on.
Zach is willing to learn new instruments to help grow the ensemble. Zach currently plays Tenor Sax, Clarinet, Trumpet, Euphonium and String Bass.
As a musician Zach holds himself and his peers to a high standard.
October – Modern Languages Department
It is with honor that the Modern Languages Department of G.W. Graham acknowledges Sarah Christie for her exemplary service and leadership to both the school and the community of Chilliwack. Sarah has demonstrated excellence in leadership, service, citizenship, and excellence in achievement both in her personal and academic pursuits.
Sarah completed French 12 with a final score of 96%. She is an incredibly determined and diligent individual who always strives to give her best. She is a kind, inclusive and helpful student who contributes to the daily life at G.W.G. She is active in our school culture and has participated in both peer tutoring and the Social Justice course.
Sarah is an active volunteer in our greater community. Her volunteer pursuits extend to teaching Sunday School at her church, being a volunteer assistant: teaching two classes at Project Dance and volunteering for year-end recitals, volunteering for the Rotary Book Sale and volunteer Math tutoring.
Sarah has a strong moral character and she exhibits the attributes of the ‘4-Way Test’ in all areas of her life. She is a wonderful role model to peers and to the younger children with whom she volunteers. Sarah gives of her time and her heart freely. It is evident to all who have had the pleasure of knowing Sarah, she continually shows leadership, service, citizenship, and excellence in achievement both in the school and greater community of Chilliwack.
November – Fine Arts Department
The Fine Arts Department has selected Madison Bassani as our Leader of Tomorrow. Madison is an outstanding Fine Arts student who has been involved in Music, Drama and Visual Arts over her time at GW Graham. Her creative talents are known and appreciated by staff and students alike as she has been involved in Remembrance Day plays, is a big part of the Graham Live Streaming team and a part of the Theater Production class and has written for the school newspaper. She is also one of the voices heard daily on the school announcements. Madison brings her keen intellect and sharp wit to all that she does. Madison has also been part of Vocal Jazz and Orchestra, rounding out her involvement in all areas of Fine Arts.
Madison has always been an exceptionally skilled artist from her middle school Fine Arts Humanities courses to her grade 12 year. She plans to attend Emily Carr University and will no doubt have many opportunities for success in the Arts in her future.
December – English Department
The English department at GW Graham Secondary is pleased to nominate Chase Hall for the Leader of Tomorrow. From the first day of class, Chase impressed me with his quiet yet powerful maturity and leadership, his studious nature and his pursuit of excellence. Chase consistently strives to reach his personal best, and this translates into every context: in school, in extracurricular activities, and in life.He is an exceptional student in every sense of the word and is currently achieving an impressive 100% in his Advanced Placement Literature course. Unsurprisingly, this academic prowess stretches far beyond the English classroom, and he has achieved “A”s in every one of his courses in his grade twelve year. In class, Chase can be counted on to lead group discussions, contribute his opinions respectfully and openly, and act as a role model to his peers. However, school is not the only place where Chase demonstrates leadership. He is actively involved in his church, in the Chilliwack School of Performing Arts, and in his family, where he is one of eight brothers. He is polite and courteous to every teacher, student and staff member that he crosses path with, and his kindness radiates through the hallways of GW Graham. During another challenging pandemic school year, Chase’s positivity has been unwavering. He is well-respected by peers and teachers alike, and his ability to work calmly under pressure, his attention to detail, his problem-solving skills, and his compassion for those in need will transfer well into his future plans for a degree in History followed by Law School. I have no doubt that he will do exceptionally well in any post-secondary and career plans that he chooses. Congratulations on your accomplishments, Chase. It’s been a pleasure teaching you.
January – Mathematics Department
Jasmine Padgham is an exceptional student and human being, whose contributions to both her school and local community are outstanding. She is talented, generous, and well-rounded, and her accomplishments have earned her numerous awards of Honours, Service, and Citizenship for several years at GWG. She not only achieves academically at a remarkable level, but she cares about those around her and actively seeks out opportunities to help others. Her passion for what she is doing is contagious, and she is approachable and friendly to all who know her. Jasmine is a leader among her peers, and she is currently an executive member of the Student Council, as well as the Director of the school’s Kiwanis Key Club. In addition, she has volunteered in the community in a variety of ways, including helping at the Rotary Book Sale, with the Salvation Army, and with multiple food drives. On top of all this, she is also a competitive dancer! Jasmine is a dedicated, responsible, and reliable young woman with a ready smile and good sense of humour, and GWG is fortunate to have her as a member of our community.
February – Applied Skills and Design – Trades Department
Occasionally, there are students that come through the shops that do things and present themselves just a little bit differently.
The students that I am thinking of have been helpful to teachers and peers around them. They demonstrate a strong work ethic and are willing to take risks with project design. Accompanying this ethic is the professional looking CAD drawings, and further good questioning for the execution of ideas. Rounding out their toolbox of abilities is a strong skill set and willingness to incorporate past technological experiences into new projects.
These words describe a pair of twin brothers, cut from the same cloth so to speak. Brothers that excel in that what they do and are viewed as leaders for tomorrow.
March – Social Studies Department
Jordan demonstrates strong advocacy skills for all and a passion for social justice. He works very hard to ensure everyone around him is included and is a natural, quiet leader. Jordan can be relied on to take a leadership role in any area and accomplish this task with ease and maturity. He has the ability to take on and appreciate all sides of a dispute or an issue and works hard to find a resolution that all will be happy with. Jordan exemplifies the qualities of a future Leader of Tomorrow.
April – Physical Health and Education Department
Jared has been an integral part of the development of the boys’ basketball program at GW Graham over the past 5 seasons. He has been a leader on and off the floor and been a committed member of our program since 2016. Jared enters his senior season as one of our starting guards and a co-captain of the team.
Off the court, Jared has also been a leader for his team. He has worked hard with his teammates to create cohesiveness and teamwork and led through example, putting in extra time in the gym and being a leader in team discussions and meetings. Jared is the perfect example of what excellence looks like for a Student-Athlete. He is a top student and has always been able to balance the pressures of academics and athletic excellence. Jared has managed to carry a heavy academic course load and has continually remained a straight A honors student, with all his final marks above 90%. Throughout his time at Graham, Jared has received awards for citizenship, inspiration, academics, athletics, and effort. He is well respected by both fellow students and teachers. Jared’s ability to balance his academics with a strong dedication to basketball is what makes him a very special student athlete.
In addition to Jared’s commitment to his studies and the sports he loves, Jared has found time (countless hours) to give back to his school and to his community volunteering with a variety of different programs, events, and organizations. His willingness to give back to those around him and always be willing to volunteer his time to help others makes Jared a generous, caring young man.
