A dynamic young leader overflowing with energy, Camie Gareau is constantly involved in initiatives at École secondaire catholique Champlain in Chelmsford.
A French-speaking role model for all Champlain students, Gareau takes her French language to heart and displays it with pride. She is committed to promoting the French language, and has organized a variety of activities during the school year to do just that.
Last summer, Gareau joined 30 Francophone youth from across Canada at the National Ambassador Youth Forum, held in Regina, Sask. Organized by “French for the Future / Français pour l’avenir”, Gareau gained valuable experience in leadership and project management, and learned ways to promote the French language and bilingualism in her school.
When asked what inspires her, Gareau is forthright.
“Many things have inspired me, but my biggest inspiration has been my mother and grandmother,” she said. “They’ve always had a positive outlook on life and have always pushed me to do my best. They’re always ready to help others. For example, my grandmother worked at the food bank for a couple of years and would bring me in to help every so often.
“Even though she had a very busy schedule, she made time for the things she cared about. I found that touching and inspirational. My mother has always done the same. She is constantly helping others, and finding ways to make everyone around her feel loved and cared for. I hope to be just as caring and hardworking as them.”
Gareau serves as prime minister of the Student Parliament this year, a committee that has been close to her heart since starting high school. She is responsible for organizing several activities, including theme days, rallies, dances and the winter carnival.
Gareau is also a member of the school choir and basketball team, and supports the initiatives of Champlain’s environmental club. Gareau demonstrated her leadership by organizing the “Hot Potato” activity, which is part of her going bid to enrich French vocabulary, as well as the “To many, we are one!” wall, which highlights the celebration of Franco-Ontarian Day.
When asked what she enjoys most about volunteering, Gareau said, “It gives me the opportunity to learn whilst also helping. I get to see first hand the impact that I make in other’s lives, and learn valuable life lessons. It makes me want to do more when I see the positive impact that I have on others just by doing a simple thing.”
Gareau credits family for her perspective on life.
“My parents have always pushed me to be the best person I could be. They have always pushed me to do more. They taught me that every problem has an answer and it can take a lot of work to solve it, but every little bit helps. Needless to say they have had a very large impact on who I am today.”
“With Camie’s energy, open mind and joie de vivre by our side,” said Paul de la Riva, director of Communications for École secondaire catholique Champlain. “It is certain that students and staff at ÉSC Champlain will experience great activities.”
Gareau is unsure what her future holds, but hopes “to keep helping in my community, to keep working hard even through tough times, and to keep participating in movements and activities that have a positive impact in other’s lives and in mine.”
Camie Gareau’s words of inspiration
“There’s always something good you can do. No matter how little it may seem, it will help someone somewhere. Your small gesture might be what inspires another!”
James Stewart is a writer in North Bay. Inspire is made possible by our Community Leaders Program.
