Brockville student trustee receives provincial award for inclusive school initiative

A local student trustee is being recognized for her leadership in making schools more inclusive.

Maheen Riaz, a Grade 12 student at Brockville Collegiate Institute and student trustee with the Upper Canada District School Board, has been named one of two recipients of the Ontario Public Student Trustee Leadership Scholarship. The award is presented by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association and the Public Board Council of OSTA-AECO.

Riaz was recognized for her work to establish Multi-Faith Rooms in UCDSB schools; these are spaces designed to support students of all faiths. Her initiative led to the creation of a permanent Multi-Faith Room at her school and has inspired similar efforts across the district.

“When I entered my role as Student Trustee, I had no idea what I was in for,” said Maheen. “All I knew was that I wanted to help bring awareness to those like me – students who felt the quiet weight of being different in spaces that weren’t made with them in mind. That’s what fuelled my Multi-Faith Room initiative. To see that initiative not only come to life, but be recognized and awarded, felt so surreal. It wasn’t just a win for me – it was a win for every student who ever felt out of place.”

Her efforts involved research, collaboration with school administrators and equity workers, and consultation with peers through student senate and committee meetings.

Riaz will attend the University of Ottawa in the fall, pursuing an Honours Bachelor of Social Science in International Studies and Modern Languages.

The award recognizes outstanding student-led initiatives that create lasting, positive change.