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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, March 18, 2010 · 2 WOSS student receives Building Communities Award By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF There are two types of people in the world, those who accept what they see around them and those exceptional people who try to change it for the better. White Oaks Secondary School student Lobna El Gammal, 17, was recognized as one of these exceptional people, Friday, receiving the Leading Women/Leading Girls, Building Communities Award. Gammal joined 103 other women and girls across Ontario, who received the award Friday, which is handed out to those who make a difference in their communities. "I congratulate these extraordinary women and girls for helping to make our community stronger. Their leadership and contributions to the community are an inspiration to all women and girls," said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, who presented Gammal with the award. "Ms. Gammal has contributed to White Oaks Secondary School as a member of the Model UN group, through the Muslim Student Association and through her involvement with the Inside Ride event. DAVID LEA / OAKVILLE BEAVER AWARD: Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn presented White Oaks Secondary School student Lobna El Gammal with her Leading Women/Leading Girls, Building Communities Award. Through her participation in the community she has become and excellent role model for other young women." White Oaks Special Education Department Head Fonda Loft and International Baccalaureate coordinator Glenys Reither recommended Gammal for the award stating that her leadership qualities, involvement in school programs and academic excellence made her the obvious choice. "She represents what we want in a White Oaks student," said Loft. "She supports diversity. She's a leader among her peers. She's a mentor to younger students. She is involved in everything she could possibly be involved in and is still in the top five per cent of her class." Reither said Gammal is deeply aware of the people who are suffering throughout the world and is constantly trying to raise awareness among students and educate them as to what they can do to help. Loft said Gammal's organizational skills were one of the reasons why last year's Inside Ride Event, a White Oaks fundraiser supporting cancer research, was such a success with more than $50,000 raised. Gammal's humble nature could be seen as she accepted her award. "I appreciate this and I appreciate that people want to recognize my efforts. The reason I do what I do is because I want to make a difference even in my local community, so I appreciate that people notice it," she said. "This makes me happy and motivates me to keep going." Gammal said community activism actually provides her with relief from the stress she sometimes feels due to her academic program. She sees community involvement as a way to give back. "Ever since I moved to Canada, I've been able to integrate myself very well. I feel like I have been accepted and so I want to do the same for others," she said. "I like to do things involving diversity, immigrants and accepting differences because I find that that is what I got from my community so I find that I have to give the same thing back." Gammal has applied to universities in both Canada and the United States with the hope of studying environmental sciences. She one day hopes to work for a developmental organization such as the United Nations. GET PRE-APPROVED ON MARCH 26, 2010 GENWORTH FINANCIAL EXPERTS SCOTIABANK ADVISORS YOU WILL HAVE ON-SITE ACCESS TO: LEGAL ADVISOR: KYLE & VAN DER STEEN LLP SCOTIABANK MORTGAGE SPECIALISTS OAKVILLE BASED REALTORS Enter a Draw to WIN a GIFT CERTIFICATE valued at $250 CONTACT ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OAKVILLE BRANCHES FOR MORE INFORMATION: OAKVILLE MAIN (LAKESHORE E & GEORGE): (905) 845-6729 DORVAL CROSSING (N SERVICE & 8TH): (905) 845-2424 GLEN ABBEY: (UPPER MIDDLE): (905) 847-3995 IROQUOIS SHORE & 8TH LINE: (905) 338-5005 DUNDAS & TRAFALGAR: (905) 257-4830 THIRD LINE & SPEERS: (905) 847-2703 SPEERS & DORVAL: (905) 338-5210 WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE. ® Registered trademarks of the Bank of Nova Scotia. 1 Subject to Scotiabank's and its insurer's lending criteria.