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Meet the Youth Ambassadors

United in their love of reading books and specifically, those published right here in Atlantic Canada, Digitally Lit Youth Ambassadors are a diverse group of critical and creative "digital natives" tasked with representing their peers from both rural and urban regions of Atlantic Canada.
Andre
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Fun fact: Both my arms are double jointed, so I NEVER need a back-scratcher!

My name is Andre Fenton, and I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. For me, home is where the water is. So living in a coastal city has always filled my heart in the right ways.

 

As well as being a writer, I am also an arts educator, and have experience mentoring young people and helping them build their craft. As I navigate through this industry, I feel that it’s important to give back, by helping young up-and-coming writers and poets find their voice.

I am thrilled to be part of this great team of like-minded readers and writers. Being a Youth Ambassador is an important opportunity to help build bridges, and work towards having more people feel inspired by books.

Status: Alumni

Ainslie
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FUN FACT: Local author Daphne Greer once named a character after me in her book Camped Out.

My name is Ainslie Gibbon and I currently live in Hillsvale, NS.

 

I'm originally from New Glasgow, but now reside in a tiny community just outside of Windsor, where I'm surrounded by all the nature I could ever want.

 

I've been a part of multiple leadership programs/groups, such as WE Day Atlantic and PASTE, a group that organized events for the school it was part of. I'm also in something called Teens4Change, which is a smaller group looking to make the world a better place with acts of kindness, fundraising and larger projects to spread positive messages.

 

I'm a tutor and an ardent reader, and I play the french horn as well as the trumpet.

 

As a Grade 10 French immersion student, I'm looking forward to connecting with youth in both languages.

Status: Active

Claire
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FUN FACT: I’ve studied English, French, Spanish, and Latin!

My name is Claire Bennet, my pronouns are she/her, and I am from Halifax, Nova Scotia!

 

I have always loved words, ever since I first learned to read. That love has only grown as I’ve gotten older, manifesting itself in my dictionary collection (if anyone has an extra copy of the 1934 edition of Merriam Co.’s New International Dictionary, let me know), and leading me to study English and Creative Writing at university. I have also had my poetry and short fiction printed in Fathom and The Coast.

 

In addition to reading and writing, I love to try out new recipes and perform with the activist arts organization Choirs for Change.

Status: Active

Damini
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FUN FACT: I had the opportunity to watch FIFA under 20 Women’s World cup matches in Moncton in 2014. 

My name is Damini Awoyiga, I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

 

I am a spoken-word poet, as well as an activist, singer, public speaker, fashion designer, entrepreneur, and athlete.

 

I have been reading since I was 4 years old and my love for writing poems and short stories came along 6 years later. I recently started my own sewing business making cloth masks, earrings, skirts, and purses.

 

I have always loved to sing and I have sung at conferences, talent shows and in choirs. I am also an artist. I love to paint people and landscapes.

Status: Active

Ellie
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FUN FACT: I play 7 instruments with the cello as my main one. The others include piano, guitar, clarinet, violin, trombone, and ukulele.

My name is Ellie Wilson and I live in Moncton, New Brunswick.

 

I'm from a small community on the outskirts of Moncton, where I am surrounded by nature. I've grown up a fervent reader, which led to my love of language (I’m also a French Immersion student!) writing, acting, and public speaking. I enjoy playing different musical instruments and painting.

 

Being a Youth Ambassador allows me to share my love of reading, and inspire other youth through social media to check out great Atlantic Canadian books!

Status: Active

Jessica
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FUN FACT: I love collecting things. I don’t just read books, I collect them. 

My name is Jessica Parsons and I currently live in Halifax, NS.

 

I grew up on the other side of the harbour in Dartmouth and have just moved back after living in Vancouver, BC for the past three years.

 

They say you never miss something until it’s gone and that’s how I felt about Atlantic Canada. Moving away gave me the distance to see the wonderful history, culture, and people that live here and just how unique we are to the world. I have always loved stories; reading them, writing them, daydreaming them on long car rides. Being a Youth Ambassador means being able to celebrate and showcase the talented creators that come out of the areas I call home and understand the experiences and stories of different viewpoints around me. In doing this I hope to create a space where books can bring people of all backgrounds together under the canopy of where we live to broaden our ideas of what it means to create in Atlantic Canada.

Status: Alumni

Jiayu
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FUN FACT: I design graphics and carve them on rubber to make stamps.

I was born in Beijing, China. My family and I moved to Canada when I was nine years old. I've participated in various writing, debating and creative development activities through the Moncton-based non-profit The Frye Academy, including their local "Budding Writers” program, Creative Writing Contest and book debating activities.

And while I love all kinds of literature, I also consider myself to be “digitally” creative and proficient with technology. For example, I’m adept in Adobe Suite programs. I also design and develop websites as well as various iOS applications.

I love making new friends, so if you have any questions or even just want a book suggestion, please drop me a line on my social media. Also, I am both fluent in both English and Chinese, so a message in either language would be great. 

Status: Active

Katie
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FUN FACT: I am a competitive curler and I have represented PEI at four national events!

My name is Katie Shaw and I hail from Prince Edward Island.

 

Growing up in PEI, I have a deep appreciation of the beauty and culture of Atlantic Canada. I have been an avid reader all my life and am thrilled to have the chance to enjoy Digitally Lits' partner selection of East Coast writing!

 

As a French Immersion student, I look forward to connecting with others and sharing the books I read… maybe even eventually in both official languages!

Status: Alumni

Kaylee
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FUN FACT: I once went all the way to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg to learn about human rights and the Holocaust in particular. I also play the flute, piano and I curl!

My name is Kaylee Harding, and I live in a small community called Ellershouse in Nova Scotia!

 

I adore both reading and writing. I love the lure of a good book and the late nights I stay up reading. In 2018, I wrote an essay for the Legion Remembrance Day contest, and ended up winning third in my division for the whole country!

 

I spend a great deal of my time reading and writing in different genres. However, Atlantic Canadian books will always hold a special place in my heart. There’s just something about reading the amazing books from authors in Atlantic Canada. They have so much success, it’s really inspiring.

Status: Active

Lauren
    FUN FACT:  I was a gymnast (in both artistic and power tumbling) for 12 years, and I competed on team Nova Scotia at competitions across the country!

    My name is Lauren Stevens and I was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

    I lived in Halifax up until 2016, when I moved to Toronto to do my undergraduate degree at the University of Toronto, where I am still studying, though I am often back and forth between Toronto and Halifax.

     

    I’ve been a part of the bookstagram and book blogging community since 2015, in which I have worked with various international book publishers to promote and review young adult books, so I am very excited to continue this type of work by being a Youth Ambassador!

    Status: Alumni

    Molly
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    FUN FACT: I have pet chickens, I love to kayak, I sew, I am an old soul and I recently learned how to knit

    My name is Molly Powers and I live in a beautiful community called Paradise in Newfoundland and Labrador, located just outside of St. John’s. In addition to being the most easterly point in North America, our province is widely known for its rich culture, musical heritage, kind-hearted souls and of course its scenic views and delicious food. It is full of poets, authors and artistic talent known all around the world.

     

    As a French Immersion student, I have long enjoyed reading and writing in both our nation’s official languages. l enjoy hanging out with friends. I also love trying new things like setting a vegetable garden with my family, baking, and playing different musical instruments.

     

    Being a Youth Ambassador empowers me to connect with other youth through social media and inspire them to read works by local Atlantic Canadian authors. 

    Status: Active

    Moriya
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    FUN FACT: I've gone white water rafting and hiked up two mountains!

    My name is Moriya Boyle, and I was born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick!

     

    I am 15 years old and attend Moncton High School. Je suis même bilingue! 

    Beginning at a young age I fell in love with reading, which soon sparked my passion for public speaking, writing and language! Snuggling up in a warm blanket, drinking hot cocoa and indulging in a good book sounds like a relaxing Sunday evening to me! I enjoy playing instruments and performing in musical theatre. I am beyond grateful and delighted to be a part of such an extraordinary project! 

    Status: Active

    Nolan
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    FUN FACT: I love creating and inventing and I most recently was able to ‘build’ a cotton candy machine using a tin can!

    Hi, my name is Nolan Lohnes. I’m 15 years old and attend Bayview Community School. I live just outside of Mahone Bay Nova Scotia with my parents, my twin brother, and my dog, Dallas.

     

    I’ve been a Youth Leader with the YMCA Leadership Program for the past four years doing volunteer work and fundraising and I also volunteer at my school’s mentorship program.

     

    I have recently started a small business called “Nolan’s Candy Cave”, making and selling various flavors of taffy and rock candy. I’ve always been an avid reader and I’m very excited to be chosen as a Youth Ambassador for Digitally Lit.

    I look forward to sharing the books I read with others.

    Status: Alumni

    Oliver
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    FUN FACT: As a cat person, I tend to be one of the first people other cat owners turn to when they need someone to cat sit.

    My name is Oliver Hallett and I live in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

     

    While I was born in Ontario I've spent most of my life in Newfoundland, and I'm quite happy that I grew up here. I've been an avid reader from a young age, which led to me getting involved with multiple creative fields - most notably writing and acting.

     

    Many of my friendships got off the ground due to us enjoying the same books, and analysis of the stories we engage with is a regular topic of conversation.

     

    Over the past few years, I've been engaging more and more with the local arts scene and I'm excited to expand that to include what I'm reading during my time as a Youth Ambassador.

    Status: Active

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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