66th Garnet Key

Eli Lysander – President

Hello! My name is Eli Lysander Turcotte and I’m in my third year studying Honours Religions and Cultures, with a minor in English Literature.

When I was in my first year of CEGEP, I came out as transgender while also navigating many changes: a new school in a big city, life as an adult, making new friends, and finding myself.

Then the pandemic hit, and lockdowns forced us to study from home. When we had looked forward to getting to know our classmates, hang out, and foster new friendships, suddenly this chance to get to meet lots of interesting people was cut short. I was still fortunate to find support during my transition, but it helped me realize the importance of our community, and the value of face-to-face interactions. We may get some sense of connection on social media, but it can also make us feel more isolated.

In my first semester at Concordia, I joined the Center for Gender Advocacy as a peer support volunteer through their training program, the Unicorn Force. I remain involved with them today.

It is not uncommon for youths to face the threat of homelessness or who choose to leave their homes because of their sexuality or identity. I want to continue helping queer youths and also, more broadly, give back to our community and foster a sense of connection and belonging.

Students come from all walks of life and any of us may find themselves be at a vulnerable time one day, sometimes when we least expect. Sometimes, a simple gesture such as reaching out and getting to know someone’s story can have a lasting impact.

It is a privilege to be a part of the 66th Garnet Keys alongside such a team of dedicated persons. A diverse team of individuals who works towards improving our community and put together their experience and insight with a view to improve our community.

Laurence Corriveau –
Vice President

Salut! My name is Laurence Corriveau, and I am a third-year Honours Psychology student. For me, being Vice President of the 66th Garnet Key Society is an incredible privilege and a position which I would have never envisioned occupying one year ago! In fact, my academic life in the last three years has been marked by incredibly difficult moments, from which I am getting out today stronger, wiser and more determined to reach my goals than ever before.

Like most processes in life, my path as a Concordian has not been linear. In early 2022, I severely relapsed from the mental health disorder I had been battling for a few years. In August, my treatment team told me they did not think I would manage to attend the upcoming academic year, and that I would fail to recover without hospitalization. I however knew that I loved studying too much to simply abandon the semester – and that desire to pursue my education ended up being my greatest motivation to recover. Through intensive work in therapy, not only have I managed to complete my full-time class load for the Fall 2022 semester, but I also maintained a strong and constant recovery from my psychological disorder during that period, while also working my part-time job as an illustrator for a small independent video game studio. Yes, I am also an artist! I have a professional CÉGEP diploma in Illustration. People sometimes think that my present academic career in science is at odds with my past as an art student, but I disagree. Just like science, art requires curiosity for the unknown and creativity in situations of adversity. I feel extremely grateful to have gathered this life experience that made me into the more empathetic, optimistic and resilient version of myself that I now am.

It is an honour for me to be working alongside a group of outstanding members of Concordia University’s student body. To be given this mandate is the opportunity to finally give back to the community. I can’t wait to see what our incredible cohort will accomplish!

Katie Baltman – Secretary

Hello! My name is Katie Baltman, and I am in my fourth year of studies at Concordia University pursuing a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology.

Throughout my life, I have always been excited to get involved and contribute to the social networks of my community. However, in a post-pandemic world, I struggled to find my place and regain the confidence I had before. I was unsure of ways that I could be involved and make a lasting and meaningful impact. When I came to Concordia as a transfer student in my third year, I made it a goal to find clubs and organizations to participate in. One of my favourite things about Concordia are the constant programs and learning opportunities available to the students. The school made it so easy for me to connect with my peers and participate in events that encouraged my learning and allowed me to meet new people. I am so grateful for the Concordia community and its efforts to engage and include students.

When I learned about the Garnet Key Society, I thought it would be a terrific opportunity to get involved in the school, meet like-minded individuals, and help foster positive change not only at Concordia, but also the Montreal community. I strive to be a friendly face around campus and provide a helping hand wherever necessary. University can be a challenging time, while also being extremely rewarding. I feel so privileged to be a part of the group of students who can act as role models and helping hands to our peers.

I look forward to my time as the Secretary for the 66th Garnet Key Society and providing leadership and support to my peers, faculty, and surrounding community. I am thrilled to be a part of such a dynamic, inclusive, and hard-working team and I am confident that we will accomplish many great things together.

Zander Staniforth – Treasurer

Hello everyone! My name is Zander Staniforth, and I am a second year Concordia student studying Actuarial Mathematics.

University, as an ideal, has always appealed to me at heart. This began when my father, a Concordia graduate, taught me to value knowledge, and its pursuit, above all else. As such, my childhood dream was to attend university and immerse myself in the academic community. However, while my dream was clear, my path to get here has not been clear cut: I have attended many schools on my journey, learning and making new friends along the way, but it was not until I reached Concordia that I truly found my place in academia.

Here, at Concordia, I have found a community of staff and students who embody everything I dreamed university could be. I have met peers from all walks of life, who not only share my hunger for knowledge but have incredible passions of their own. I have also encountered a wonderful group of staff, who are committed to making Concordia the best school it can be and fostering the beautiful community which calls it home. As such, I feel profoundly grateful to be part of such a passionate and welcoming community, and I am honored to have been chosen as Treasurer of the 66th Garnet Key Society. We have an incredible cohort this year, and I look forward to serving out my mandate alongside them. I know that together we will uphold the university ethos and strive to make the Concordia community stronger than ever.

Angela Sucre – Community Project Chairperson

Hello everyone! My name is Angela Sucre and I am a second-year Honours student in Psychology. Beyond academic pursuit, I am the daughter of two affectionate parents who left their country to give us a brighter future, a loving sister of two younger siblings, and a curious, spiritual person who is passionate about people.

When I was 7 years old, my parents decided to flee Venezuela and move to Peru while they prepared our documents to come to Canada. Moving from one country to another gave me perspective on the different opportunities that people have. When we were living in Peru, I witnessed the power of small acts of kindness through my mom’s volunteering at the Hogar de Gina’s orphanage. Those precious moments where simple toys brought boundless joy, left an indelible mark on me. Seeing my future shining bright ahead of me in Canada made me reflect on the communities that I had left behind and, since then, giving back has been a big part of my life.

In high school, I delved into community involvement, tutoring students with learning difficulties at the local library and sharing my recent French knowledge with newcomers. I embraced every chance to volunteer in fundraising activities, food banks, museums, and cultural festivals. In my last year, I undertook a personal project that took me back to Hogar de Gina to deliver a self-esteem and resilience building workshop. After doing some research, I organized a memorable Latino Night fundraising event with dance and amazing food. With the money raised, I was able to buy new bed sheet sets and pillows for all the girls in the orphanage and deliver introspective activities to motivate them to thrive despite societal challenges.

Today, I’m committed to my psychology studies, with a specific focus on understanding and supporting marginalized communities. Additionally, I am thrilled to be part of the 66th cohort of the Garnet Key Society collaborating with like-minded individuals who share the vision of making a positive impact in the world with empathy, altruism and action.

Samm Reid – Community Project Chairperson

Hi everyone! I’m Samm Reid, I am in my final year of Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies in the School of Community and Public Affairs.

As a 7th generation African Nova Scotian with strong family roots, my identity is rooted in community. For as long as I can remember, I have always been involved in community in some capacity, and being surrounded by people with similar passions and values, has always been a strong part of my growth. Growing up in Nova Scotia, I was often the only person in many spaces, who looked like me. I became aware of this early on. Although I may not have been reflected in many spaces, I knew I was good enough to be there, and if I didn’t believe that, I would prove to myself that I would be. Now, I do my best to be in those spaces not just for me, but so others who might look like me can see themselves reflected and know that they too belong.

Deciding to go back to school during the pandemic as a part-time student, it was hard to feel connected and sometimes felt like I wasn’t really “in” school. However, my work and studies started to align, fusing my interests and passions, and I knew I was where I should be. Once I became more confident as a student, speaking up and becoming more engaged, I started to feel more connected to my learning experience and became involved in opportunities within the University. When I started my studies, I would have never thought that I would have the opportunity to become part of the Garnet Key Society. Now, it is yet another factor of alignment in my academic journey, and a great honour. Coming from a background of organizing and facilitating youth programs, community gatherings and giving back, I am excited to work with such a talented, passionate group of people, to achieve our goals together this year. Ubuntu, I am because we are.

Kassandra Pierre-Ismaël – Sponsoship Chairperson

Hiii! My name is Kassandra, and I am currently a second-year undergraduate student. I am pursuing a Major in Community, Public Affairs and Policy Studies and an Elective Group in Management.

I am a proud Haitian Canadian who loves being active in the community. I have always had a drive for growth and to reach out to help others. I have done over 120 hours of volunteering in high school (i.e., the Montreal Marathon, food drives, and others). Also, we did a humanitarian trip to Cuba, and these moments made me love the act of volunteering. Furthermore, I was a tutor for “L’École des Grands,” a program highly recognized for aiding academic success in Montreal North, and a tutor for students at CÉGEP Marie-Victorin in the Social Science department. I always tried to assist people who needed help and were stressing about issues in their studies.

In my first year at Concordia, I was an ambassador for ASAC, the African Student Association of Concordia. We had many events assembling and celebrating the black community at Concordia. I have always appreciated how diverse Concordia is and want Concordia to be even more recognized than it is. Diversity is a must, especially since the university is in a multicultural city.

Being an active student helped me focus on my studies. Being part of Garnet Key gives me new responsibilities and gets me out of my comfort zone. It is an honour to be part of the new cohort of Garnet Key and be the Sponsorship Chairperson. We have a common objective: to show how dedicated we are to raising awareness and funds for a worthy cause. Hence, I am extremely excited and honoured to be a part of the 66th Garnet Key Society with this group of bright, community-driven, and accomplished individuals whose mandate is to give back to the community!

Kelaiah Steer-McPherson – Recruitment Chairperson

Hello, m name is Kelaiah Steer-McPherson. I’m an undergraduate student at Concordia University pursuing a major in Sociology and a minor in Law and Society. My passion for studying Sociology and Law and Society stems from my steadfast belief in the power of knowledge, empathy, and action. I am driven by the desire to help foster a society that is more equitable and just, where everyone has access to opportunities and their voices are heard. I am devoted to directing my academic and professional pursuits toward this cause, firmly believing that studying Sociology and Law and Society will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to foster an enduring, positive impact.

During my time at Concordia, I’ve been involved in a handful of the student-led associations that this outstanding institution has to offer. My involvement in these organizations has afforded me the opportunity to forge relationships and contribute to the strengthening of social ties within the university community. Additionally, I’ve volunteered for a few nonprofit groups aimed at tackling social issues like homelessness and social justice. Through these philanthropic endeavours, I had the privilege of collaborating with people who share a similar vision for bringing about significant change in the Montreal community.

The opportunity to serve as the Recruitment Chairperson for the 66th Garnet Key cohort is a great honour that I sincerely appreciate. Working alongside a diverse group of exceptionally intelligent and ambitious individuals is not only a privilege, but also an experience that will undoubtedly provide me with lifelong memories that I will treasure forever.

Tchina Desroches – Recruitment Chairperson

There is beauty in seeing how the world shapes us. Particular beauty in how our experiences mold us into the beings we are today; beings that strive to be agents of change, giving back to underserved communities, and standing firm in one’s beliefs and values.

A little about me: my name is Tchina Desroches. In Haitian Creole, I would say, “Bonjou tout moun, non mwen se Tchina Desroches.” Although I most often speak English, when I speak Haitian Creole, I feel at home, tuning in with the part of me that will never be lost. I am a third-year student majoring in Human Relations with a specialization in Family Science. Why Human Relations? Well, why not? Through this program, I get the chance to learn about what I am most passionate about: people. This passion that I now have for putting others’ needs before my own started at a very young age. Growing up in Haiti, I often saw things that I thought were normal. Whether that was seeing children my age not attend school or mothers giving up their children due to a lack of resources; that was the reality. While volunteering with youth-oriented NGOs in Haiti, I got to witness these children hope—hope to become doctors, engineers, and business owners one day.

Now, as a university student involved with academic communities such as the Garnet Key and the societal community at large, my efforts are driven towards giving back to those children who hope for a better tomorrow. Therefore, as my academic and external involvement continues to shape the person I am becoming, I hope to make a difference in others’ lives.

Abicumaran​​ Uthamacumaran – Banquet Chairperson

Hello! Everyone calls me Abi. I am completing my second BSc in Psychology. My first BSc was in physics.

Concordia has nurtured me towards my trajectory as a healer, my life purpose. Thanks to the precious knowledge, support, and compassionate care Concordia provided, I am at the heart of an expanding transdisciplinary research network spanning across various institutions, and branches of medicine, including pediatric cancers and youth depression/suicide.

I am also grateful to be a volunteer across many communities. I look forward to collaborating with the great leaders in this year’s Garnet Key cohort, towards our collective vision of supporting our community and representing our future: the students.

May we all co-thrive and contribute to make our Concordia proud.

Carlos Fernandes Jr. – Marketing Coordinator

Why hello there! My name is Carlos, I’m a second-year Film Studies student and I am more than thrilled to be the Marketing Coordinator of the 66th Garnet Key Society.

As an international student from Brazil, being able to pursue my artistic work in an environment filled with really creative, talented, awesome people has been an absolute joy so far throughout my academic journey.

However, upon my arrival in Montreal, having never been to the country and having no family or friends in it, the prospect of doing this experience on my own was terrifying. Thankfully, I didn’t.

While being able to have access to tools that make my work possible, as well as learning more about the field through incredible professionals is an absolute privilege – to be able to connect with my peers, and the overall campus, through storytelling and study, and give back to the community has been the highlight of my experience with Concordia.

To be able to continue my drive to tell stories and give back to the Montreal community is exactly what made me interested in becoming a part of the Garnet Key Society. I only hope this year, during our mandate (with this fantastic cohort I’m so proud to be a part of), I can show the same passion, curiosity, and welcoming attitude that this community was able to offer me once I first arrived and to let more people know that, they too, don’t have to do it on their own.

Bolaji Raji – Communications Officer

Hello, I’m Bolaji Raji, the communications officer for the 66th cohort of the Garnet Key Society and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Garnet Key Society. I’m a second-year student in the Electrical Engineering program here at Concordia University. Originally hailing from Nigeria, Africa, I firsthand understand the importance of community involvement, as it was the only way to thrive and develop as a community back home. I’ve always been passionate about fostering inclusivity and community.

In the Garnet Key Society, my goal is to establish strong community engagement and contribute positively in any way I can to the greater community. I’m also dedicated to being an ambassador of Africa, my home continent, and representing them positively.

As an international student from Nigeria, I bring a unique perspective to the table, which I believe can contribute to a richer and more vibrant group.

My role within the Garnet Key Society is as Communications officer, where I plan to serve as a bridge between different student communities and work towards strengthening the bonds that tie us all together. As a group, we also hope to organize events and initiatives that celebrate our diverse backgrounds, promote cultural exchange, and provide resources and support for all students.

Being a part of the Garnet Key Society has its own rewards. Not only will I get to grow personally and professionally, but I’ll also have the chance to make lasting connections and memories. Together, we can make our university a place where everyone feels valued, and that’s a goal I’m truly excited to work towards.

Claire Dyment – Alumni Liaison

Hi everyone! I’m Claire, a final-year Honours Psychology student.

The Garnet Key Society is built upon honour, legacy, and heritage. I am excited to have the privilege of upholding these traditions in my position as the Alumni Liaison for this year’s Garnet Key cohort.

Garnet Key Alumni share a common experience. Through media campaigns and outreach efforts, my goal is to foster this commonality and build a culture of inter-generational reliance. My hope is that all Society Alumni feel as though there is always a place for them at Concordia.

For the past 4 years, the Concordia community has gone above and beyond in supporting me in my pursuit for higher education. Our University has allowed me to open many doors that have taught me so much about myself and allowed me to grow immensely as a leader. I wanted to join the Garnet Key to show my gratitude for our wonderful community and to represent us to the best of my ability.

Being surrounded by the other Garnet Key members is an opportunity unlike any other. The passion I feel from this group inspires me to work hard and achieve my goals. I am so thankful for this opportunity to serve as the Alumni Liaison of the Garnet Key. I look forward to the impact we will have on our community and everything we will accomplish together.