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'Richmond Sentinel' sat down with Richmond’s own Sara Kanafani, recipient of TD’s Scholarship for Community Leadership.

Photo courtesy 'Richmond Sentinel'

Richmond Stories: Sara Kanafani

By Matthew Cheung

Published 12:56 PDT, Fri August 2, 2024

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In this edition of Richmond Stories, host Jim Gordon (JG) sat down with Steveston-London Secondary School’s recent graduate Sara Kanafani (SK) to discuss being named one of 20 recipients of TD’s Scholarship for Community Leadership. Recipients of the scholarship received up to $70K for tuition and living expenses, as well as opportunities for paid summer employment, peer networking, and mentorship.

JG: We’re now here at the office of the Richmond Sentinel joined by Sara Kanafani. Let’s talk to our viewers about the scholarship that you were awarded. What is it about and what does one have to do to qualify and receive such a scholarship?

SK: The TD scholarship revolves around community leadership and being a leader in your community, bringing that positive change that you think needs to be seen. I did that in a couple of different ways, but essentially the scholarship consisted of a $70,000 coverage of my undergraduate degree.

JG: You have certainly accomplished a lot to qualify; establishing the BC Muslim Association for inaugural youth committee, supporting fellow teens in cultivating leadership skills and self-awareness, to overseeing 70 volunteers. You also established and are the founder president of the Steveston London Muslim Student’s Association (MSA). How did those two associations differ?

SK: The BC Muslim Association is an established association. When I joined, I noticed that in the volunteers coming in, there was a gap between the high schoolers who needed volunteer hours and the opportunities that were being offered. I decided to bring the youth together and formulate some events that they could partake, volunteer, or aid in the planning of, at the mosque. This began the youth committee.

As we moved forward it became more established, now we have executives who will oversee and help volunteers. The MSA is a school club, that allows the Muslim students at Steveston London to come together, feel welcomed, and a sense of belonging. We come together and host religious activities and pray at the end of our meetings every week. It’s a way to bring everyone together and teach others about the wonders of our religion.

JG: One thing I see consistently when I interview people in your age category, is that you not only accomplish a lot but you encourage people to get involved in the idea of volunteering and offering their time and paying it forward. With the youth committee you seem to instil that in people—to get involved. Programs like summer camp which are helpful to parents, knowing that their kids are involved in activities especially during the summer months. How important is it and do you see a positive feed back from young people when you’re getting them involved to help?

SK: It is definitely a very rewarding thing to receive a positive reaction from young people. It’s really heartwarming to see everybody come together and be engaged in the event you took part in planning. It’s also so rewarding to see these people come out with leadership skills they developed throughout their training or mentorship with other students. Also, being able to see people of all ages and experiences build bonds together.

JG: Let’s talk about your future plans, you’ve accomplished quite a lot, where do you see yourself in the next five years?

SK: I will be attending the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business to get my business degree. Afterwards, I would like to pursue law school from there. Within the next five years, I would hopefully be just finishing my business degree, studying for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).

JG: Do you have an idea of what type of law you would like to practice?

SK: As of right now, I have corporate law in mind, but I have also been leaning towards immigration law.

JG: What advice would you give to parents who have kids your age, how to apply to have a chance at the TD scholarship?

SK: This scholarship is about community leadership; you want to make a difference where you think there needs to be a difference made. I saw a lack of connection between events at the mosque and people who were volunteering, so I brought forth the change that I wanted to see.

My advice, find something you’re passionate and genuinely care about because in order to get these great opportunities, you’re going to need the dedication and passion. Regardless of what it is, address something that you truly care about and want to see a difference in. I didn’t start the youth association or Muslim Student Association with the TD Scholarship in mind, I did what I thought needed to be done. That path will lead you to do some great things.

To watch the full video interview, visit richmondsentinel.ca/videos