When travelling in India four years ago, Som Ghosh encountered a young child living on the streets of Kolkata. Lacking access to food, clean drinking water, and a proper education, the child faced a harsh reality. Knowing he could do nothing at the time, Som made a promise to himself: he would become a catalyst for positive change in the world. And so began his volunteer journey.

At his school, McRoberts Secondary, he co-founded the McRoberts in Action Group, which encourages students to play a positive role in their community. He’s also taken the lead on a number of fundraising initiatives at the school, including one that raised over $5,000 for Free the Children, an organization that seeks to empower youth to create global change. The money was put towards the development of a clean water system in Haiti.

Described by his nominator as an effective leader who is cheerful, creative, responsible, collaborative, respected, and enthusiastic, Som has won the McRoberts Service Award four years in a row, from grade 8 through grade 11. In each of those years, he accumulated between 800 and 1000 volunteer hours at various school clubs. Since 2007, he’s been the Co-President of the Student Council.

Away from school, he’s volunteered as a camp leader at South Arm Community Centre and served as an organizer for Rich City Idol. A gifted public speaker, he placed fourth in the 2011 We Day National Speech Competition.

While his volunteer journey is just getting started, it’s clear that with every step he takes, Som Ghosh is making his community, and the world, a better place.