Shoban Jayamohan, a Tamil youth, was the 2010 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Involvement Award for Students. This award is awarded to an exemplary volunteer among graduating high school students, and is awarded by the Lieutenant Governor, Honourable David C. Onley. Shoban graduated from Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute when he received the award. Presently, Shoban is studying at the American University of Antigua’s School of Medicine, where he is enrolled in a dual medical program completing a Bachelor of Health Science and a Doctor of Medicine. His hope is to one day practice as a pediatrician, which has been his childhood dream.
Working with the Public Relations and Media Division of the Tamil Youth Organization (TYO), Shoban helped organize many awareness campaigns on the devastating humanitarian situations and genocide in Sri Lanka, gave many interviews with mainstream media, and briefly served as a coordinator between Tamil Student Associations and TYO. He contributed to many news stories and appeared on several television news broadcasts. Shoban also served as a Diversity Ambassador with the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians and promoted anti-racism dialogue within the South Asian community. He assisted youth and seniors of the community to forge discussion on how to combat racism.
Shoban has been actively involved in working with children who have physical and mental health issues. He volunteers his time with the ASARE Pediatric Psychiatry Ward at the Manipal University Hospital as an assistant counsellor alongside pediatricians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. His experiences with assisting children in their path to recovery and rehabilitation helped solidify his dream to become a pediatrician. Circumstances in his own life and in the greater global Tami community have further encouraged him to work towards the betterment of others. In addition to this he also has volunteered with the Middlefield Sai Centre, York Federation of Students, York University TSA, Ayyappan Temple of Canada, Social Committee of ACCI, Students in Action, Toronto District School Board, UNICEF, and the Sick Kids Foundation of Canada.
Shoban’s desire to help those in need through his education is great and has proved to be a socially conscious and talented young man with an extensive and impressive volunteer record. We quote Shoban Jayamohan, “It has been a childhood dream to become a pediatrician and to serve those who do not have proper access to medical services. My extensive work with marginalized communities has given me the opportunity to understand the liberties I have as a Canadian. I realize the importance of education and how it should be used for the betterment of humanity to empower those who are less fortunate. The opportunity to pursue medicine is a gift that I intend to share with the rest of the world; education should not be luxury, because it is a right. The basic lack of education around the world spurs in my pursuit of my intended vocation to later instill hope to those suffering under the yoke of oppression. My involvement within my own community influences me to appreciate education and to utilize to ensure the betterment of others “. Shoban is a model citizen, student and advocate; he has shown a commitment to his education, and his community. His advocacy work is truly commendable, and shows that youth can be leaders and activists.
As the school year comes to an end, many awards that honour and celebrate youth volunteerism and academic achievement are left unclaimed and overlooked. So we encourage graduating students to get contact with your principles, guidance councillors, or school awards committee to be nominated for the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Involvement Award for Students. Every student in an Ontario high school has the opportunity to take advantage of this award and to have their outstanding achievements recognized.
Tamil youth like Shoban have demonstrated to be conscious citizens, and proven talent in their respective fields of study. His achievements break any existing misconceptions that community service and involvement within the Tamil community will go unvalued and unacknowledged by schools and organizations alike. We congratulate Shoban on all his achievements, and hope that his story motivates other youth to get involved and make their communities a better place.
For questions and concerns in regards to the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Involvement Award for Students or any other awards, please feel free to get contact with the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat by emailing ontariohonoursandawards@ontario.ca or visit their website here.
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