Peel Environmental Youth Alliance

Over the years PEYA has attracted to its cause an impressive group of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and interests, that are united by their commitment to the environment. As part of the alumni program that we are building, all of our profiled alumnus are more than willing to be contacted by current PEYA members and answer any questions concerning environmental issues, university applications, educational programs, and the activities they are involved in!

Featured Alumni Profiles

Ke-Jia Chong is the former Vice-President of PEYA from 2005-2006, in its inaugural year. She is currently at the prestigious Schulich School of Business at York University, completing her International Bachelor's of Business Administration. At York University she is heavily involved in a variety of activities, currently as the Treasurer of the York Debating Society and past positions as the Vice-President of Information Systems in the York Investment Club, feature editor of the INSIDER, Schulich's newspaper. She and two of her colleagues placed third in the 2008 RBC Next Greatest Innovator competition and Ke-Jia has recently been awarded Export Development Canada's International Business scholarship. In the summer of 2007, she studied mandarin abroad in China and in 2009 she will be going to Switzerland for a 4-month study exchange. Upon graduation of high school, Ke-Jia was awarded the Millennium Scholarship, the Brampton Hydro Award and the York University's President's Scholarship. Her future plans include specialization in strategy in international business and later international trade law.
"Seize opportunity when it arrives and don't ever think of letting go."
Email kejiachong (at) gmail.com

Elizabeth Kreitner was a member of PEYA since its creation three years ago as a student at Heart Lake Secondary School, and was on the executive committee of 2006-2007 as the coordinator of Brampton and Caledon Schools. She is currently attending Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario and working through the concurrent education program to become a primary school teacher, while majoring in geography. Elizabeth was also involved with the Otesha Triple-H team for 3 years and the ecoMentors program, teaching over 150 lessons in various schools. She was a member of the Heart Lake Secondary School environment club. Elizabeth has also interned at Earth Day Canada, was on the Green Street Youth Steering Committee, and wrote material for the Youth Engagement Program. Her future plans include biking across Canada with the Otesha project, and writing a zine that connects with the Gaea project that she started at Heart Lake. For her work, Elizabeth has been recognized with the Judith Seaton Scholarship Award, the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award, Brampton Community Star Award, and was recognized by Roger’s Television as a Local Hero. What advice does she give to young budding environmentalists: “To me youth environmentalism is all about choosing to be a part of a future that is at a balance with our world and all the living things in it. It's all about balance, when we are working on campaigns to create change, when we are looking at our schools, communities, and ourselves, we have to look to create a balanced situation. That is the only way we are going to accomplish this very important goal of sustainability: by creating balance in as many aspects of our environment as possible.”
"We have to look to create a balanced situation. That is the only way we are going to accomplish this very important goal of sustainability: by creating balance in as many aspects of our environment as possible."
Email itstime4change (at) gmail.com

Saksham Uppal served as Vice-President of PEYA in 2006-2007 and is currently studying at the University of Toronto. Continuing on his efforts from high school, he is attempting to further involve himself in environmental initiatives during the course of his post-secondary education..
"In order to work towards something better for you and your community, be sure to first lead by example and don't forget that while you are trying to help the environment you can utilize all of the skills you possess. This way you can not only pursue your passion for the environment but also make it a way to develop your skills and practice those that you already possess"
Email saksham_uppal (at) hotmail.com

Jasmeet Sidhu is the founder of PEYA, and former Co-President of PEYA from 2005-2006. She is currently at the University of Toronto studying Peace and Conflict Studies, with a focus in International Health and Women's Rights. During her high school days, Jasmeet was involved in a variety of activities, which included founding the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance and her high school's environment club at Heart Lake, and was elected as Student Trustee for the Peel District School Board. Upon graduation, she was the fortunate recipient of the Toyota Earth Day Scholarship and the TD Canada Trust Scholarship. At Trinity College in UofT, she is involved with the construction of a Green Roof on top of one of the college's buildings, that will help insulate the building, and add green space to the city.  In Summer 2007, Jasmeet travelled to Kenya to work with the community to integrate more indigenous trees in their agriculture and to prevent soil erosion. She recently became the recipient of Youth-In-Motion's Top 20 Under 20 award. Jasmeet is currently writing articles as part of the Toronto Star's Community Editorial Board, and plans to travel to Namibia in Summer 2008 to do research on the social and cultural aspects of AIDS.
"Everyone has that bold, daring, and ingenious part in them to do something good for themselves, their communities, their peers and their world. The secret is to focus, believe in your dream, and surround yourself with people who are cheering you on to succeed"
Email jasmeet.sidhu (at) utoronto.ca

Rohit Mehta is the former PEYA co-president from 2005-06, and president from 2006-07. Rohit has led his environmental club for the past two years, participating in the Ontario Envirothon, multiple clean ups, planting events, and a huge fashion show titled “Green Scene.” Has been heavily involved with PEYA since its start in 2004, and participated in every monthly meeting, and many conferences and outreach events since the group was founded. He has also helped organize many of PEYA’s annual EcoBuzz conferences since 2004. Recently, he has been involved with EcoSource’s youth and local food program, and has become a local food junkie! Rohit was also the national under-18 representative for the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, and participated in their Toronto and Ottawa summits, representing PEYA on the coalition. Rohit was awarded Credit Valley Conservation’s Young Conservationist Award in October 2006, and won the Sam McCallion Volunteer Award as Mississauga’s Volunteer of the Year earlier that year. Recently, Rohit was also honoured by the province with the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers. Having completed his “victory lap” at John Fraser Secondary School, Rohit is continuing his involvement with PEYA by managing the PEYA Online Community Website. Rohit plans to attend the University of Toronto at Mississauga for Environmental Management in September, 2008.
"Everyone should take action in their own way – whether it is big or small, and set an example for others."
Email thenvironmentalist (at) gmail.com

Anum Maqsood is currently studying Commerce and Finance at University of Toronto at Mississauga. This year Anum worked with U of T Mississauga Green Team as their Ink Jet and E-waste Recycling coordinator. Anum worked to expand the UTM ink jet recycling program that diverts a large volume of refillable ink jet laser cartridges from the landfill. As part of the Green Team, Anum participated at the fourth and fifth annual EcoBuzz Conferences and at various planting events organized by PEYA. Anum also attended and presented at the 3rd Annual Ontario Sustainable Campuses Conference at University of Ottawa. At present, Anum works as a Campaign Coordinator with Smart Commute to promote alternative transportation initiatives such as carpooling, ride sharing, transit and bike options to the UTM campus and the business community.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." — Mahatma Gandhi

Andrew Nguyen worked as Vice-President for the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance in the 2006-2007 year and is currently a part of the 2007-2008 executive team. As the multi-faceted, jack-of-all-trades, he has been responsible for putting some remarkable ideas into action such as Toonies for Trees, a yearly re-greening initiative that challenged classes to fundraise enough money to plant trees and shrubs, Dead Battery Day, which showcased the importance of properly disposing electronic waste and lastly, Red Wiggler Composting, which helped emphasized the concept of zero waste lunches by getting students actively involved in composting. Andrew has worked for Ecosource, alongside Rohit Mehta, in Port Credit, as an environmental educator. Aside from his passion for the environment, Andrew is often involved social justice issues. He is the founder of ConnectED, which takes a students-helping-students approach to bullying prevention. Currently, he has written two novels, Reflection (2007), Lost and Found (2008) and is currently working on a poetry anthology called Postcards From Purgatory. Andrew hopes to attend Ryerson University for Journalism in September of 2008 and is currently working as the environmental and fashion writer for BlogTO.com
“The defining factor is not resources, but resourcefulness”
Email: b3n3v0l3nt (at) gmail.com

Tooba Shakeel has been a volunteer for PEYA since its establishment. She was an active member of Heart Lake Secondary School’s environmental club for 3 years. During those years, Tooba developed her interests by participating and organizing many events. Some of the highlights include planting 100s of plant species to stabilize creek banks, attending EcoBuzz conferences and Eco Fair, assisting with environment weeks, and recycling on Wednesdays. Currently, Tooba is studying Physical Anthropology and Environmental Management at UofT Mississauga and is an active member of the Green Team on campus. Some of her projects include an Anti-litter campaign, Environment Week ’07, updating campus naturalization records, and invasive species mapping. She has been volunteering for groups such as Evergreen, Ecosource, Credit Valley Conservation and Mississauga Garden Council. Tooba was awarded a bursary from Communities in Bloom for her volunteerism and has been featured in many newspapers for her work. In January ’08, she was selected to attend Sierra Youth Coalition’s Sustainable Campuses Conference in Ottawa, where she shared some of her projects with students from across the province. Tooba has also been involved in assisting fellow students with their projects and providing ongoing support. Her future plans include traveling to Mexico for research on International Environmental Sustainability, assisting with developing a new monitoring protocol for UTM’s planting sites and carrying out exciting projects in collaboration with the Green Team and UTM student union. She continues to devote her time for many other social causes as well as biking, watching movies, painting and spending time with loved ones.
“The greatest feeling in the world is the one you feel after rescuing a living being. Why not try to rescue this precious earth and earn the gratitude of saving countless beings? That feeling will continue to empower you, along with inspiring others around you.”
Email: tooba401@hotmail.com

Lo-Anne Chang served as Co-Ordinator of Mississauga & Brampton Schools of PEYA from 2005-2006, in its inaugural year. She is currently studying towards a BA in Criminology at the University of Western Ontario, with a minor in French. Lo-Anne was actively involved in the Outsiders club and was the Regional Representative for the Environmental Club at The Woodlands School. She was also involved in a joint project between the Citizens' Environment Watch and the Science department of The Woodlands School that involved testing the sustainability of the water in the Credit River.
"KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!" - Dr. Seuss

Elisabeth Huang was a member of PEYA in April of 2006. She is currently attending the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. This year, she was the sustainability representative of her village residence council to help create a more environmentally friendly residence. She is currently a member of the Otesha project and a member of the University of Waterloo Sustainability Project group. In less than a week, she plans to travel to the Amazon to work with the people in the indigenous communities.
“Don’t be afraid to take action-to go out and make a difference!”