Grant Sparling
Blyth, Ontario
Age at time of award: 18

While Grant was in the eighth grade, he developed a set of hybrid golf clubs which lead him to nab the coveted finalist position at the Canada Wide Science Fair.

After facing financial barriers, Grant was unable to obtain a patent and, within a year, three separate major companies released sets of hybrid clubs.

A few years later while attending the Shad Valley enrichment program for students, Grant and his team, Medicine for a Better Tomorrow, created Formulation V720, a revolutionary accomplishment: the world’s very first, and only, flu vaccine in pill form. Eliminating mass immunization processes is not only cost effective, it reduces many problems association with inoculations.

Refusing to allow history to repeat, Grant sought out legal advice and has secured a provisional patent in Canada and the US for his team’s product.

Caitlin Stockwell
Victoria, British Columbia
Age at time of award: 17

We all know our shoe size, big or small, but we are often unaware of our carbon foot print size.

As an environmentalist who is determined to get solar panels at her school, Caitlin wanted to draw further attention to the issue of climate change. She created cc350, in which sponsored teams of 55 students cycle laps, relay style, around her school’s track for a total of 350 laps.

350 is a significant number because it is the safe upper limit of parts per million in the earth’s upper atmosphere - according to current science – in order for humanity to reverse climate change effects.

An eco-fair and spoting event, cc350 drew all members from the community, including The Green Party, and raised $8,000 to help her school’s goal of becoming a zero waste establishment.

She was also successful in securing a $20,000 grant which will allow the school to install solar panels in the fall.

Jacinthe Veillette
St. Tithe, Québec
Age at time of award: 19

Jacinthe, an anorexia survivor, is passionate about the issues and impacts of eating disorders.

After collecting over 2,000 signatures on a petition to do something to change our society’s attitude towards beauty, she took her message straight to the Québec government and met with the Minister for the Status of Women, Christine St. Pierre.

Determination allowed Jacinthe’s message was heard loud and clear, to the extent that, in October 2009, the provincial government created Québec Charter for a Healthy Image.

Jacinthe plays a very active role to this day in promoting awareness of the Charter through speaking engagements and media interviews.

Anoop Virk
Coquitlam, British Columbia
Age at time of award: 18

Vancouver’s downtown East Side is internationally known for its desperate inhabitants and persistent social and health problems: drug abusers, high rates of poverty, illness, prostitution and homelessness.

Many of those suffering on the East Side feel lost and disconnected. Anoop and her colleagues, fellow students and a teacher, created Project Helping Everyone Locate Loved Ones (HELLO).

It is designed to support the East Side’s population who want to reunite with their family members. Participants are asked to complete personalized greeting card to their family member, and Project HELLO uses it as a catalyst in starting the process of a possible reunion.

Rather than offering a meal or a blanket, Project HELLO offers comfort to the wounded spirits of the East Side, and reconnects them with loved ones from whom they have been estranged. To date, Project HELLO has brought together more than 170 families.