Montréal, May 13, 2015 – Yesterday the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal marked the end of Operation Back to School 2015 by awarding eight high school students $1500 scholarships that will be placed in a registered education savings plan (RESP). The scholarships were awarded at the offices of McCarthy Tétrault, officially closing the 19th edition of this Board of Trade program, which ran from February 16 to May 1. For 11 weeks, some 150 professionals from the business world made over 250 presentations in high schools in the metropolitan area.
“School retention is one of the main drivers of economic and social development,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “The Board of Trade is proud to be associated with promoting it for close to 20 years. We are pleased to see that thanks to greater involvement from all sectors, the graduation rate among young people has been growing steadily since 2009.”
The 19th edition of Operation Back to School gave some 7,500 students from grades 9, 10 and 11 a chance to learn about the different stages in the speakers’ professional journeys. The students learned that success requires sustained effort and a great deal of determination, courage and confidence in one’s abilities.
“Young people need daily support and encouragement,” Mr. Leblanc said. “They find it highly motivating to meet professionals from different sectors of activity who have built a successful career.”
“I would like to thank our speakers for their unwavering commitment; year after year they share their personal experiences with passion and generosity,” Mr. Leblanc said.
“I was delighted to be the sponsor of the 19th edition of Operation Back to School,” said Kim Thomassin, Managing Partner, Québec Region, at McCarthy Tétrault, Chair of the Board of Trade and sponsor of the 19th edition of Operation Back to School. “It’s important to me to see young people succeed, and I know that, for me, pursuing a post-secondary education was an investment that paid off. The scholarships awarded yesterday recognize the eight students for their effort and perseverance. I hope the money will help them pursue and succeed at the career of their dreams.”
The following high school students received scholarships:
- Jean-Laguerre Laeneck, École secondaire Amos
- Trystan Tsumura-Dare, Riverdale High School
- Sandrine Danielle T. Memongo Togolo, École secondaire Évangéline
- Samuel Bélanger-Lechasseur, école secondaire Amos
- Kwasi Thomas, École secondaire Honoré-Mercier
- Samuel Grimard, École secondaire Fernand-Lefebvre
- Shazel Kezlin Patterson, École secondaire Père-Marquette
- Tristan Lussier-Filion, École secondaire Chomedey-De-Maisonneuve
Operation Back to School is made possible through the financial support of Montréal Relève and the participation of its GOLD ambassadors: ArcelorMittal and McCarthy Tétrault, as well as its SILVER ambassadors: the Regroupement des CPA de Montréal, Crochetière, Pétrin, EY and Ubisoft Montréal. The Board of Trade also thanks its association partners: Academos, Youth Fusion, Montreal Hooked on School and Universitas.
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From left to right: Samuel Bélanger-Lechasseur – École secondaire Amos, Trystan Tsumura-Dare – Riverdale High School, Kim Thomassin, Managing Partner, Québec Region – McCarthy Tétrault, Chair of the Board of Trade and sponsor of the 19th edition of Operation Back to School, Kwasi Thomas – École secondaire Honoré-Mercier, Shazel Kezlin Patterson – École secondaire Père-Marquette, Sandrine Danielle T. Memongo Togolo – École secondaire Évangéline, Tristan Lussier-Filion – École secondaire Chomedey-De-Maisonneuve, Samuel Grimard – École secondaire Fernand-Lefebvre, Michel Leblanc, President and CEO – Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
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About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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Twitter: @chambremontreal
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