Youth in Business & Community

The Barrhaven BIA is proud to recognize graduating students at all 6 of Barrhaven’s high schools who demonstrate initiative, resilience, and a strong connection to their community or the world of work. This bursary is intentionally designed to complement traditional academic scholarships by celebrating students whose strengths may not be fully reflected through grades alone, but who show strong potential through character, effort, and real-world engagement.

Barrhaven has a uniquely young and growing population, with nearly half of residents under the age of 30, and six high schools located within walking distance of our commercial districts. Through this program, we are looking to build stronger, more intentional connections between students and the local business community.

Each school will award a $1000 bursary, sponsored by the Barrhaven BIA, to a student who best represents the criteria:

Students must:

• Be a graduating student from a Barrhaven-area high school
• Demonstrate clear connection to business, entrepreneurship, or community leadership
• Intend to pursue:
  • Post-secondary education, OR
  • Skilled trades/apprenticeship, OR
  • Entrepreneurial/business pathway

Students should be evaluated based on:

1. Initiative & Work Ethic
2. Entrepreneurial Spirit
3. Resilience & Determination
4. Community Connection
5. Future Intent

2026 Winners

Antoine Ziade – École Secondaire Pierre-Savard

Antoine is a dedicated, dependable, and engaged student who consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to our school community. He invests himself fully in everything he does and can always be counted on to contribute positively. Known for being reliable and helpful, Antoine is always willing to support others and lend a hand when needed. His active participation in school activities reflects his genuine engagement and school spirit.

“I am 17 years old. I love sports, working out, outdoor activity and hanging out with friends. My plans after graduation are to go to UOttawa to study Finance with co-op. I am most proud of being able to have friends and family who support me through everything and finishing high school. I love Barrhaven because of the people, the activities and opportunities it brings.”

Emily Poslavskyy – École Secondaire Pierre-de-Blois

We were very much looking for a student with entrepreneurial qualities and sense of initiative. Emily has started her own private swim instructor business which includes: – Successfully runs a private seasonal swim school over the summer, providing lessons at her residence, – Specializing in teaching young children, including those with disabilities, fostering a sage and inclusive environment, – Ensured safety of all participants by adhering to best practices and safety protocols – Managed scheduling, billing, and administrative tasks to ensure smooth operation of the business. Emily has also been involved in a variety of volunteering activities in her barrhaven community and is a hard working student with a 87% average in grade 12.

“Hi! My name is Emily Poslavskyy, and I’m a recent graduate of Pierre-de-Blois École Secondaire. I absolutely love swimming, going to the gym, and using creative outlets like painting and bedazzling. I’ve been working as a lifeguard and swim instructor with the City of Ottawa since I was 15 years old, and teaching kids has always been my passion. Outside of my city role, I’ve offered private swimming lessons from my backyard, placing a focus on accessible and bilingual water safety. Running my own swimming practice has allowed me to see firsthand the various skills like leadership, communication, and self-confidence required to succeed.

This fall, I’ll be attending the University of Ottawa for a Bachelor of Science of Human Kinetics in the French stream. My long-term goal is to pursue either medicine or become a Physician Assistant, with a focus on providing high-quality, bilingual healthcare within my community. Alongside my studies, I plan to continue with the City and return to teaching lifeguarding courses such as Bronze Medallion and First-Aid. I hope to expand my private swimming practice someday into my own aquatic training facility, growing this into a larger business in the future. No matter where my career takes me, I want it to be centered around helping others, promoting health, and giving back to the youth.

What I’m most proud of are the people who shaped me, especially my immigrant Ukrainian parents. Because of their support, I learned the value of discipline, responsibility, and hard work. It was their belief in me makes up my foundation as a person. They pushed me to complete my lifeguarding training, and they encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone at 15 and launch my very own swimming lessons.

Barrhaven has always felt like a community where people genuinely support one another. It’s where I grew up, made lifelong friendships, and discovered opportunities that helped shape my future. From my job at Walter Baker to the families I teach through my own practice, I’ve never had my young age play a larger role than my experience and ambition. I especially appreciate how family-oriented Barrhaven is. Working with children and parents over the years has allowed me to build meaningful connections with people throughout the community. Barrhaven will always be home, and I’m excited to continue to prioritise its people while pursuing my education and future career. “

Nathan Fleguel – Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School

This student has distinguished themselves as an outstanding co-op student through their placement in Business and Accounting at Barrhaven Volkswagen. Their exceptional attention to detail, strong teamwork skills, and willingness to take on any task, earned them high praise from their supervisors and colleagues. In recognition of their meaningful contributions to the local business community, their success extends beyond their co-op placement, as they currently work for two other local Nepean businesses and have been offered a third employment opportunity as a direct result of their dedication, professionalism, and outstanding work ethic.

“I want to start by saying thank you so much for your very generous Barrhaven BIA Award bursary. I am truly honoured and incredibly grateful for your generosity and support. Receiving this award means a great deal to me, and I sincerely appreciate your investment in me and in our community.

My name is Nathan Fleguel, and I recently graduated from Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School as an Ontario Scholar and Silver Medalist (above 90% average). Throughout high school, I worked hard to balance my academics, three part-time jobs, and sports. I work in Agronomy at the Ottawa Hunt & Golf Club, in grocery at Carmody’s Your Independent Grocer, and most recently as a Receptionist and Accounting Assistant at Myers Barrhaven Volkswagen. I also played hockey and golf, both in and outside of school. These experiences taught me the importance of responsibility, time management, and perseverance, and they have prepared me well for the next stage of my education.

This fall, I will be attending Carleton University to pursue a Bachelor of Accounting with Co-op. My goal is to earn my CPA designation and build a successful career in accounting. I look forward to gaining new experiences, continuing to learn, and developing the skills needed to make a positive impact in my profession and community.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of happened in Grade 11 after I broke my collarbone. While recovering, I pitched the idea of making and selling bracelets for our marketing class project. My class chose my idea, and despite my injury, I took on the role of Head of Production, teaching my classmates how to make the bracelets while I continued to recover. Together, we raised over $750 for CHEO. That experience taught me the importance of perseverance, leadership, and working toward a meaningful cause.

This past year, I also had the opportunity to serve as Co-President of our school’s pickleball tournament. My partner and I led a team of 35 student volunteers to organize a successful event with more than 30 teams participating and support from numerous local sponsors. Together, we raised over $600 for CHEO. I was proud to help bring students and the community together for a great cause.

Barrhaven has always been home for me. I appreciate its welcoming atmosphere, strong sense of community, and the many local businesses that make it such a great place to live. During the winter, I enjoy giving back by volunteering at my local outdoor skating rink, helping create a fun and safe place where families and friends can spend time together. Being able to contribute to the community in this way has made me appreciate even more what makes Barrhaven such a special place. I am proud to have grown up here and grateful for the opportunities and support this community has provided me.

Thank you once again for this generous award and for supporting me as I pursue my educational goals. Your kindness and encouragement are truly appreciated, and I am honoured to represent the Barrhaven community as I begin this next chapter.”

Youssef Arsan – John McCrae Secondary School

“My name is Youssef Arsan, and I just graduated from high school. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, playing sports, and trying new things. I always try to work hard and do my best in school and in everything I do.

After graduation, I plan to go to university and continue my education. I want to learn new skills, gain experience, and work toward a career that I enjoy/

I am most proud of graduating from high school and reaching one of my biggest goals, which was making it to university. I’m also proud to receive this bursary because it shows that my hard work has paid off. It motivates me to keep working hard in the future.

I love Barrhaven because it’s a friendly and safe community. It has great parks, restaurants, and local businesses, and it’s a nice place to live. I have made a lot of good memories here, and I’m thankful to have grown up in this community.”

Anthony Ianni – St. Joseph Catholic High School

He is a determined, dedicated and high achieving student. Anthony took on a leadership role in St. Joseph’s Get Swabbed Campaign. He made a huge impact, having over 150 grade 12 students participate in getting swabbed for the stem cell donor program. Anthony balances a heavy workload, with extracurricular activities, and maintains a mid nineties average. Anthony is resilient and models our St. Joseph motto of “Dedication Today, Success Tomorrow”

“Hi, my name is Anthony Ianni, and I recently graduated from St. Joseph Catholic High School. For the past two years, I have been working part-time as a produce clerk at the Greenbank Loblaws. In my free time, I enjoy staying active in the gym, studying rocketry and aerospace, and participating in winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding.

This coming September, I will be studying Aerospace Engineering at Carleton University with co-op available to me. In high school, I had the opportunity to land a co-op placement at the National Research Council’s aircraft hangar located at the Ottawa Airport. During my co-op, I worked alongside engineers in the Airworthiness Department, gaining valuable skills and experience that I hope will help me secure future internships throughout my university education. My lifelong ambition has always been to work for major aerospace companies such as SpaceX or NASA, contributing to the development of propulsion systems that allow rockets and spacecraft to travel faster and more efficiently through space. Regardless of where my career takes me, I hope to make a positive impact on the people around me and use my skills to help shape the future of aerospace engineering.

I am most proud of an opportunity I was given during my senior year of high school. I led a school wide stem cell swabbing campaign in partnership with Canadian Blood Services. This experience was not only challenging but also incredibly rewarding, as it allowed me to see so many of my peers step up and join the Canadian Stem Cell Registry. Organizing this event required significant planning and coordination. I participated in conference calls with Canadian Blood Services, designed posters and advertisements to promote the campaign, estimated the number of eligible participants, selected and trained classmates to assist students through the swabbing process, and organized an informative assembly for Grade 12 students and staff. During the assembly, a representative from Canadian Blood Services and a special guest shared their experiences, helping students understand the life changing impact that stem cell donors can have. Looking back, I am most proud not only of organizing a successful campaign but of helping create opportunities that could one day save someone’s life. This experience has taught me that leadership is not just receiving praise, but the impact you have on others, which continues to shape the person I want to be.

I love Barrhaven because it has always been more than just a place I live, it is the community that has shaped who I am today. It’s where I was raised, went to both elementary and high school, built lots of friendships, and found many opportunities that have helped me pursue my dreams. What I appreciate most about Barrhaven is its sense of community. Whether it is neighbours supporting each other or local businesses fundraising for school events, Barrhaven is a place where people care about the community they live in. As I begin my Aerospace Engineering degree at Carleton University, Barrhaven will always be my home, and I hope to continue contributing to this community, as it has played an important role in shaping my future.”

Lucas Osmond – St. Mother Teresa High School

Lucas Osmond will be going to study his Bachelor of Commerce with a focus on Finance at the University of Ottawa. He has been on the SMT Football team and is involved with the Nepean Minor Hockey League. As the elected VP of Finance for his JA Company, Lucas turned communication and delegation challenges into opportunities for growth by showing the initiative to ask for help and developing his leadership skills. Lucas was dedicated to both his studies and the Titan’s tackle football team, learning to manage his time effectively.