Maria Bun – Past President

Formerly of York District School Board

As the first student trustee to be re-elected for a second term in the York Region District School Board, Maria Bun has continued to promote youth engagement in the education system since first getting involved with the York Region Presidents' Council in 2008. Maria has participated as an active member of the Policy Committee, Program Planning Committee, and Race Relations Advisory Committee in her school board, maintaining that the student perspective should be represented and taken into consideration in policy-making. Working with other students through the York Region Presidents' Council, Maria has established a channel of communication for student consultation on important issues such as curriculum reviews, student councils, community service, and equity.

Maria was actively involved in her school as Student Council Director of Student Issues, consulting jointly with students and school administrators on school policy reviews and engaging the student body in leadership activities. Being an executive member of her school's Social Justice League, Maria has organized events and conducted workshops to raise funds and awareness on two key issues: HIV/AIDS and violence against women. In the community, Maria has been actively involved in local politics since volunteering on a political campaign during the 2007 provincial election. Maria has worked with local councillors and city staff to organize an annual Family Day skating event and summer BBQ for the residents of Vaughan, urging youth to take an interest in their community. For her demonstration of active citizenship and commitment to volunteering, Maria was named City of Vaughan Civic Hero in 2010.