The team behind the YCDSB Our Voices website is celebrating York Catholic students who demonstrate Black Excellence. Today, we honour Jasmine Moore from St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School.
Jasmine Olivia Mavis Moore is a Grade 12 student at St. Jean de Brebeuf CHS who is dedicated to sharing her passion for science and research with the rest of the world. At a young age, Jasmine discovered that she carried the sickle cell trait, and ever since then, has been committed to raising awareness around Sickle Cell Anemia.
Jasmine’s most recent Culminating Performance Task (CPT) explored how Sickle Cell affects female African-American athletes. Her thesis states: “Sickle Cell Anemia is prevalent in female African-American athletes, which negatively impacts their health and thus, limits their ability to perform optimally in sports.”
Her work not only raises awareness, but also presents Jasmine with the opportunity to discover more about her own health and explore her heritage. Jasmine acknowledges that she would not be the person she is today without the support of her own family, but also credits the likes of Mr. Lionti, the department head of Physical Education at St. Jean de Brebeuf, for helping her to build confidence and self-esteem. Ms. Suriano, an English teacher, also provided a strong support system and Ms. Milroy, a guidance counsellor at the same school, was a constant source of inspiration.
“It is not only the amazing teachers, students, and staff at St. Jean de Brebeuf that have contributed to my success,” Jasmine clearly states. “I used to be an incredibly isolated individual.” However, after joining the Model UN, and Equity & Social Justice clubs at her school, Jasmine is now ready to spread her wings. Jasmine is involved in anti-bullying initiatives, promoting intersectionality issues, planning and implementing Human Right projects, and social justice work such as distributing food to the homeless.
Jasmine is also an honour roll student who has shown resilience in her ability to overcome personal health problems and racial inequality issues. According to Jasmine: “Being from a historically marginalized group, I see the racial and social injustices that society has set upon us. There are certain negative stereotypes set on Black individuals that have stuck throughout the years. It is important that we recognize Black Excellence because others could potentially be inspired. It would show that we are capable of more than what stereotypes define us as. We are breaking away from negative stereotypes. We are redefining what it means to be Black in our society.”
Jasmine is looking to continue her education by studying Life Sciences at McMaster, Waterloo, or the University of Toronto, as she works towards her goal of becoming a Trauma Surgeon. She has aspirations of helping others and inspiring the next generation of excellence. While this future doctor doesn’t go looking for recognition, her impact on both local and school communities is inspiring and undeniable.
We are proud of your accomplishments, and look forward to the future. We know you will continue to grow as a creative and critical thinker who integrates Catholic Values into your daily life, as a socially responsible global citizen.
“When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘we’, even illness becomes wellness.” Malcolm X
To read all Black Excellence profiles, visit:
https://sites.google.com/ycdsb.ca/our-voice/black-excellence