As a 16-year-old high school student, I first joined Parachute’s Youth Road Safety Ambassador Program to address unsafe crossings and pedestrian-vehicle interactions. 

My school has been growing very quickly from 1,200 students since its opening in 2021, to more than 2,000 in 2026. However, the road infrastructure has not kept pace. 

With Parachute’s support, I led a team investigating pedestrian safety around our high school. We conducted field observations, surveyed students, and analyzed our findings to identify patterns in the safety concerns students were experiencing. Later, we presented our findings to our principal and City of Edmonton traffic staff so decision-makers could see what students were experiencing. 

After a city site visit, the city strengthened parking restrictions and later installed a pedestrian flashing beacon. I now see students using it to cross and drivers stopping in response. 

From conducting our original road-safety research and presenting our findings to decision-makers, to participating in the Canadian Youth Road Safety Week video and webinar, it truly redefined what a researcher is to me. The experience has shaped the way I think about leadership and community change, and it has shown me how meaningful youth perspectives can be when they are supported and given the opportunity to contribute. 

Until now, I looked at scientists and engineers with their incredible discoveries/inventions and thought that it required one dramatic breakthrough. However, I am super lucky to learn through Parachute that research is just a long process where persistence was the key in making a successful initiative.

As I look toward university and my future career, I hope to carry these lessons into whatever challenges I encounter. This program has taught me to approach problems with curiosity, listen carefully to the people affected and recognize that even small initiatives can grow into meaningful change. 

I used to wonder whether students could really influence decisions in their communities. Now, I understand that we don’t necessarily need to wait until we are older to begin making a difference. Sometimes, we just need someone willing to listen and an opportunity to start.

Top