Just one month before the current school year began, a teenager from Ukraine first stepped foot in Sault Ste. Marie and, in just a couple of months, has managed to inspire many with his positive attitude and leadership.
Ukrainians fleeing the war are not technically classified in Canada as refugees, but are allowed to fast-track into this country through the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel. It allows Ukrainians to work, study and stay in Canada for up to three years. Yehor was originally enrolled as an English Language Learner but after demonstrating his relatively strong English skills was placed in mainstream classes.“Maybe it was my school in Ukraine, but here biology was harder than in Ukraine, but math here is much easier than in Ukraine,” said Yehor.
“I started talking to guys and asking them about activities in school and made friends from different classes,” he said. “Everybody here in Canada are so open and always smiling and open to help.” This semester, Yehor is in MacLachlan’s Leadership class, a relatively new course to White Pines designed to teach Grade 12 students critical planning, organizational and collaboration skills as they approach graduation.