For Kiersa, the culmination of her high school journey at Collingwood School wasn't just about receiving a diploma; it was a launchpad for a deeply ingrained passion for service. Her proudest moment— launching and leading a Social Impact Lab focused on empowering Special Olympics athletes—epitomizes this commitment. 

“Just before the summer of grade 10, I was driving home with my mom and told her a dream I had: I wanted to bring the Special Olympics to our school for the very first time,” Kiersa recalls. 

After coaching track and field with Special Olympics, Kiersa wanted to share that experience with the School. She saw an important opportunity to “build meaningful connections and make inclusion more than just a buzzword.”

This initiative saw such enthusiastic participation from other students that meetings quickly outgrew classrooms and had to be moved to the auditorium. This underscores Kiersa's belief that "true leadership isn’t about standing alone at the top—it’s about building a ladder and helping everyone climb together."

This spirit of engagement was nurtured throughout her time at Collingwood, where a personalized approach to learning allows each student to discover their unique calling in the world. To further foster each students’ journey, the Senior School has a dedicated team of University Guidance (UG) counsellors that work with students across all grades to help identify post-secondary opportunities that are aligned with their multifaceted interests.

"I was so impressed with the amount of research and thought Kiersa put into her applications, and how well organized she was in grade 11," says Ms. Pezim, Kiersa's counsellor.

Instead of chasing post-secondary options for prestige, Kiersa explored programs that genuinely resonated with her academic strengths and burgeoning passions, a testament to the department’s commitment to help each student find their perfect fit.

Ms. Pezim also notes Kiersa’s significant service involvement. 

"She won Collingwood’s Roger Hatch Citizenship Award last year as a grade 11," Ms. Pezim highlights, emphasizing her leadership in the Special Olympics Social Impact Lab and her coaching partnership with the North Shore Special Olympics. 

The seeds of Kiersa's dedication to service were sown early in her upbringing. Surrounded by a supportive family who instilled in her the values of curiosity and independence, she learned that giving back wasn't an obligation, but a meaningful way to connect and contribute. Her early involvement in fundraising and her deep connection with the Special Olympics, solidified this core value. 

"Beyond my family, the athletes I coach at Special Olympics have deeply inspired me," Kiersa shares. "Their resilience, positivity, and commitment remind me that success isn’t just about winning—it’s about joy, effort, community and of course the journey." 

These experiences, coupled with leadership roles at Collingwood such as serving on the Executive team as Head of Service and leading the Admission Ambassador team, provided her with practical skills and a profound understanding of empathetic leadership.

"These experiences helped shape my passion for health, innovation, and community," she states.

Kiersa’s decision to ultimately attend the University of Waterloo for the Honours Science and Business program, complete with a co-op experience, reflects this thoughtful approach. It’s a deliberate intersection of her aptitude for science and her innate drive to connect with and impact the world around her.

"I realized I wanted something more interdisciplinary," Kiersa explains, recalling her exploration of different programs. "That’s when I found the University of Waterloo’s Science and Business program. It was the perfect blend: innovation, real-world skills, and the chance to explore things like biotech and sustainability while staying grounded in science." 

Looking ahead, Kiersa’s ambitions extend far beyond her undergraduate studies and towards her commitment to making a tangible difference. 

"One of my biggest goals is to sit on the Board of a Children’s Hospital or the Special Olympics—two spaces that have shaped the way I understand service and impact," she declares. Her interest in the brain and the evolving landscape of AI, particularly its intersection with health and innovation, hints at a future where she aims to blend scientific knowledge with business acumen to create meaningful change. For Kiersa, university isn't the final destination, but a crucial step in a lifelong journey of service and impact.

With a personalized approach and unwavering belief in each student's potential, Collingwood helped to provide the fertile ground for Kiersa's passions to flourish.

“Looking back, my academic journey has been about more than grades—it’s been about growing with resilience and staying grounded in the incredible support system that helped me believe in myself,” Kiersa says. It's a testament to a school environment where students are empowered to discover their unique purpose and leave its walls equipped to make a meaningful contribution to the world. 

We have no doubt Kiersa's graduation marks not an end, but the exciting beginning of a career deeply rooted in a desire to serve—a desire we are proud to celebrate at Collingwood.

“I chose the path that felt most like me—and I’m really excited to see where it takes me.”