ANTIGONISH, N.S. — ANTIGONISH, N.S. - Marcel Desmond doesn’t mind if you call him a role model.
“Empowering them empowers me,” the Upper Big Tracadie native said, when asked about his passion for working with other students.
“Giving back – it is what I want to do, it is the least that I can do.”
Desmond noted he learned that lesson from many people who have helped him along the way.
“Because of what they have done, I think there is an onus on me to give back.”
As for how the Grade 12 student at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School in Antigonish ‘gives back,’ the list is seemingly endless.
His myriad of community activities include serving as a peer tutor with the Black Educators Association of Nova Scotia Cultural Academic Enrichment Program (CAEP), an after-school program that operates from September to May.
Along with helping students with homework, Desmond and his colleagues facilitate cultural activities that help participants “learn about themselves and their history.”
“It is about bridging the gap,” the 17-year-old said of what can be missing for African Nova Scotian students in the school curriculum.
Desmond also participates in the Knowledge Seekers Summer Scholar Program, an initiative of the African Canadian Services Branch of the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
He is also a member of the Antigonish Parents in Action Education Committee Association, which provides inspiring learning opportunities for continued growth and engagement of African Nova Scotian learners in the summer months; focuses on literacy, science, engineering, arts and math (STEM).
“I love every minute of it,” Desmond said of his extensive resume.
If his mentorship and advocacy activities aren’t enough, he is also co-president at the Regional, where he works not only with students, but also the community and other schools.
And, the teenager is a part-time employee at Dairy Queen Antigonish.
“I don’t have a lot of free time,” he agreed.
‘I am honoured’
Desmond’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. He recently found out he is one of 88 finalists selected from a pool of 5,194 candidates for a Loran Award, which are gifted annually by the Loran Scholars Foundation.
The award recognizes candidates based on “evidence of character, commitment to service in the community and leadership potential.”
“It felt good – it is hard to describe,” he said of learning he reached that level of the process.
Desmond added, “I am honoured.”
His path to the finals started as one of three candidates selected from the Regional, before he made it to the provincial level – one of 20 chosen from across Nova Scotia.
Desmond participated in one-on-one interviews, along with group sessions, and a question period with the provincial panel.
“It has been quite a process,” he agreed, noting he made his initial application last October.
Later this week, Desmond will be in Toronto – on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 – for the national selection process.
“Kind of, but not really,” he said, when asked if he was nervous about the upcoming interview process over the two-day period.
Desmond noted he will be reflecting on his “lived experience,” so it is easy to talk about it with people.
He and the other finalists, including three others from Nova Scotia, have the opportunity to earn up to $100,000 over four years for undergraduate studies in Canada.
The Loran Award – up to 36 will be presented - includes annual stipends, tuition waivers from a partner university, mentorship, summer internship funding, as well as annual retreats and forums.
Along with the obvious financial benefits, Desmond said he is excited about the mentorship, educational and work experience opportunities that are available.
“Each recipient has a mentor in their chosen field, which is something that I am really looking forward to,” he added of his possible selection.
If not chosen as a Loran Scholar, Desmond and the other candidates will be eligible to receive a $5,000 finalist award.
No matter what happens, he said it has been a “great experience.”
‘My best year’
When asked about where improvements can be made in the education system for African Nova Scotian students, Desmond said it is “about more than spending money.”
He added that, although it is helpful, it is about more than “learning history” in the classroom.
“It is about making authentic connections,” Desmond noted.
He said having more African Nova Scotian teachers and support workers would be a key to making that happen.
“It would make a really big difference,” Desmond said, when asked about the importance of seeing more people that ‘look like him’ in those positions.
In his 13 years of public school, he noted he has only been taught by one African Nova Scotian – Grade 7 teacher Morgan Gero.
“It was my best year,” he said.
Although he always did well academically, he described it as a “turnaround” year for him.
“She saw my potential and encouraged me,” Desmond remembered, noting he had been more “reserved” up until then.
He added they started “building their connection” during the previous year – she served as his student support worker – when they worked together on a drum presentation.
“I will never forget it,” Desmond said.
Making his voice heard
When it comes to his post-secondary plans, he said they will be influenced by the result of the Loran Award process.
If he receives one, it means he would have to attend one of the society’s 25 member schools – Queen’s, Ottawa and McGill are on his radar.
“I have met some really cool people and had some great experiences,” Desmond said, in expressing his affection for his hometown university – St. F.X. – which is not one of the Loran Award-member universities.
Whenever he ends up, Desmond said his undergraduate studies will focus on policy and politics, followed by post-graduates studies in law.
He envisions a possible career in developing policies for government agencies.
“I want to be one of the contributing voices that are not usually heard,” Desmond said.
