Vanier’s Shakina MacFarlane Montero awarded a Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Youth Medal

Shakina developed a dedication to giving back to others when she returned to school after a pause in her studies, thanks to the encouragement of staff and peers. While completing her studies at an adult education center, she created murals, paintings, and decorative elements for school events, and took on roles that required coordination, communication, and reliability. These experiences laid the foundation for her belief in the importance of welcoming spaces and meaningful collaboration at school.

At Vanier, Shakina has made a lasting impact on the campus and within the Architectural Technology department. Through murals, campus events, and peer support roles, she combines leadership and dedication to enrich campus spaces that foster a sense of belonging. As a member of the Muralist Club, she collaborated with students and staff to design, plan, and execute large-scale mural projects, such as the B-hive student space mural commissioned by Student Life and the Student Services Oasis mural. Most recently, she worked on a “bee hotel” in collaboration with Vanier Gardens and the Biology department to provide refuge for pollinators.

Beyond her artistic contributions, Shakina has supported campus initiatives by welcoming new students during Orientation, volunteering with the Vanier College Students Association and representing her program at Open House. When it comes to school work, she provides peer support, tutoring at the Writing Centre and after-school lab monitoring in her program.

Balancing academic responsibilities with consistent volunteer engagement and part-time work, Shakina demonstrates commitment and perseverance, all while excelling academically. Generous, reliable and attentive, she uplifts those around her and continues to show that thoughtful service, creativity, and perseverance can inspire others and strengthen a community. She has definitely positively impacted her peers and campus community and through her sustained service and influence, she exemplifies the values recognized by the Lieutenant Governor’s Youth Medal.

"The department is tremendously proud of Shakina,” says Architectural Technology Coordinator, Michael Lancione. “She has been an inspiration to all, and I'm confident she will continue to shine and make us proud, long after she graduates from our program."