Brock student Lucia Marchionda (left) receives an Emerging Leader award at the 2023 Canada Volunteer Awards this past April, presented by Jenna Sudds, Member of Parliament for Kanata — Carleton. “Kindness is free.”
They’re the words, often spoken by her father, that Lucia Marchionda has taken to heart since childhood.
Growing up, she was always encouraged to shine a light in the world in any way she could — a task she has not taken lightly.
The Brock University Concurrent Teacher Education student’s commitment to making a big impact in her community is turning heads across the country.
Marchionda was recently honoured at the 2023 Canada Volunteer Awards, presented by the Government of Canada, as a recipient of the Emerging Leader award for the Ontario region.
The Emerging Leader award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the lives and well-being of others in their communities.
As an Emerging Leader — one of only five honourees from across Canada — Marchionda was awarded $5,000 to give to a non-profit organization of her choice. With deep connections to McMaster Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit, she chose the Wish Heart Fund.
As part of the Emerging Leader award, Brock student Lucia Marchionda received $5,000 to give to a non-profit organization of her choice, the Wish Heart Fund supporting McMaster Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology Oncology Unit.
Her donation will help make hospital stays a little brighter for children and families receiving treatment by providing items such as toys, books and crafts, as well as supporting maintenance of slushie machines for kids battling cancer.
On behalf of the Faculty of Education, Professor and Director of Teacher Education Programs Dolana Mogadime celebrated Marchionda’s outstanding contributions to improving children’s lives.
“It is delightful to witness Lucia’s one drop in the ocean multiplying and impacting so positively on others,” Mogadime said. “Moreover, she inspires us all to do the same.”
Marchionda’s commitment to giving back has extended across many roles as a volunteer and community leader. In addition to her fundraising efforts for McMaster Children’s Hospital, she has developed an innovative digital platform with Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board that facilitates student engagement with the community.
In 2019, Marchionda was presented with the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers — the highest honour a young person can receive for their contributions to the province.
In her mind, being honoured as an emerging leader is just one more step in the right direction towards sharing her passion and skills with the next generation of students and changemakers.
An aspiring educator, who is simultaneously working towards her Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Arts, Marchionda is driven to weave her extensive volunteer and leadership experience into her future career.
“I want to be the teacher I wished I’d always had, someone who makes a difference in young people’s lives and inspires them to do big things that will have an impact in the community,” she said. “If I inspire even one student on their path, I know I will have done my job.”
Marchionda, who will graduate from Brock next spring, said the opportunity to study Teacher Education at the University has allowed her to pursue her dream of working as a teacher, and down the road, as an administrative leader in the educational field.
“You’ll never know what some individuals go through and who needs just a friendly or smiling face. I want to help others in any capacity I can, and spread kindness and humility to the world,” she said.
