David Madiba Akero is a Grade 12 student at St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Alongside Student Trustee Lily Yeomans, they will both represent Student Voice!
David is a passionate student leader, with a strong work-ethic, determination, and desire to help
others through leadership. He is deeply involved in community service, volunteering over 70
hours of his time to support youth groups, and collaborating with the Kenyan Canadian
Association to launch a new initiative that promotes community engagement through soccer. His commitment to community service is further exemplified through his steady
involvement in the Northern Ontario Black Economic Empowerment Program (NOBEEP). In
addition to being featured as an entrepreneur/client in NOBEEP, David is an active volunteer
and continues to support their work of providing assistance and resources to Black
entrepreneurs and business owners to help foster economic growth and inclusion in Northern
Ontario.
David is a strong advocate for student voice and believes it is necessary for student
development and growth. He hopes to bring more attention to elevating post-secondary support
within schools in order to further empower students in building their post-secondary portfolios
and navigating their educational and career pathways effectively.
“I am honoured to be chosen to represent the Sudbury Catholic District School Board as a Student Trustee. I believe that student voice and involvement are crucial elements for an effective education
system. When students are engaged, schools have a better understanding of their needs and
can continue to implement changes and updates that coincide with generational developments
that help students excel in their education.”
Lily Yeomans is a Grade 11 student at Marymount Academy. Alongside Student Trustee, David Madiba Akero, they will both represent Student Voice!
Lily is a dedicated advocate for youth with strong leadership experience. She has contributed to several community initiatives, including fundraising for NeoKids and NOFCC, volunteering with Miles Against Cancer, and serving as a Teen Ambassador for SickKids. A confident public speaker, she has shared her journey at the Terry Fox Run, school graduations, and university lectures on genetic counselling.
Her own experience with cancer has shaped her passion for student voice, wellness, and mental health supports. She is also committed to increasing student engagement in decision-making and expanding real-world learning opportunities.
“I am excited for what the future holds and to work alongside so many amazing people at Sudbury Catholic Schools. Through this experience, I am most looking forward to growing as a leader, working with students from other secondary schools, advocating for the needs of my peers, and learning more about myself as a person. It is a tremendous privilege to be a Student Trustee, and I look forward to what lies ahead in this position.”