We are thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s Media Girlfriends student scholarship! Congratulations to Alenne Adekayode of Halifax, NS and Aaliyah Dasoo @aaliyahdasoo of Toronto, ON.

Driven, talented and wise beyond her years, Alenne Adekayode is already a leader and a bridge builder in her communities. She is a coach, a member of her student council, and is an advocate for youth of colour.

On her way to @Concordia to study communications, she writes "I’ve found my true passion lies in creative direction, specifically in film; expressing my values of community, leadership, and social justice in my creative process and through my unique perspectives."

@aaliyahdasoo is a member of the Dean’s Honour List at @RyersonU and demonstrates a strong commitment to mentoring writers in her role as an editor. She is confident, ambitious and strongly believes in empowering other young women through her work with Girls E-Mentorship.

"The journalism industry isn’t perfect," she writes. "Time and again, I’ve seen the way that a lack of empathy can discourage a reporter from doing their best work. My generation of journalists won’t let that happen."

Congrats to #mediagirlfriends Aaliyah and Alenne! A big thank you to everyone who applied, @scholartree_ca, our judges, and all of our supporters and donors. We couldn’t do this without you.