International Day of the Girl: Highlighting the Accomplishments of Female Ridley Students

This October, we have a plethora of holidays and traditions that are celebrated internationally. Yet there is one very important holiday that we would like to highlight. Beginning in 2012, International Day of the Girl Child has been celebrated annually ever since its official recognition by the United Nations. According to UNESCO, International Day of the Girl is a holiday meant to bring attention to the challenges girls face, promote girls empowerment, and the fulfillment of their human rights. To celebrate this impactful holiday this month, we are going to highlight a few of the many accomplished and inspirational female students here within our Ridley student body. The girls we will be highlighting are Nantume Masturah ’25, Sydney Swick ’25, Shakeela Vahdat ’25, and Hope Lynam ’28. These four girls may have been involved in different extracurriculars and pursue differing interests, but all four of these girls remain involved within the Ridley community and continue to display a deep passion for leadership. These four girls will be offering their knowledge of balancing their work, finding ways to get involved at Ridley, and very importantly, providing advice for their peers at Ridley.

Hope Lynam ’28 is currently in her first year in Upper School but has already found engaging ways to be involved in the Ridley community. Using her prior skills developed by her leadership roles in Middle School, she is already finding ways to excel as an Upper School student.

What are some ways you have incorporated your personal interests and passions into your involvement at Ridley?

Hope: “I love staying active and am currently involved in basketball and novice rowing this term. I’m also passionate about nature and have enjoyed many of the cadet activities such as hiking, knot tying, visiting the BOERC, and learning marksmanship. Ridley’s rich history is something I try honouring through my participation in cadets, sharing with the wider community as an admissions buddy, and exploring further by working with the Alumni Association.”

What are some pieces of advice or suggestions you would give to your peers if they were interested in holding a leadership position at Ridley?

Hope: “This year, there’s been a lot of talk about hope. But hope isn’t just a noun, as our school theme reminds us — it’s also a verb. Like leadership, it’s about taking action in service of others to create a better world. Leadership is not a position. It’s about lifting people up and creating an environment where we can push each other to become our best. So, instead of seeking a position, ask yourself: how are you creating hope in others?”

How do your past leadership roles in middle school differentiate from currently being involved in Ridley's Upper School?

Hope: “My prior knowledge and experiences in Middle School such as D Company Commander and Eastern Rock House Captain gave me valuable skills, helping me reflect on how to grow as a leader. However, Upper School feels like a reset. Little fish. Big pond. It’s also a chance to learn from senior students about how to motivate, inspire, and dream big. There are so many incredible female role models in Upper School, especially in Leonard House, who are broadening my horizons and building my confidence. Their example motivates me to do my best and help those around me to do the same.”

Sydney Swick ’25 and Shakeela Vahdat ’25 are both Grade 12 students strongly involved in their co-curriculars. Sydney is a very active athlete, being involved in two very demanding prep sports: girl’s hockey and Ridley rowing. Despite all the effort both sports require, Sydney has seen a lot of success in athletics. This includes representing Canada in rowing and recently making a Division-1 commitment to the University of Michigan. Shakeela, a Prefect, makes her voice heard by displaying her musical and acting talents on the stage of the Mandeville Theater, in chapel, or at other prominent Ridley events. Last year, Shakeela was seen portraying ‘Roxie Hart’ in Ridley’s production of Chicago. Shakeela has also been the recipient of many Cappies awards.

What are some ways you balance two high-demand prep sports while still being a busy Ridley student?

Sydney: “Finding the balance between school, rowing, and hockey has definitely been a challenge. But I have had the most support to help me stay organized. Whether it’s my parents, coaches, or staff, they all help me a lot to stay on top of what I need to. Although some days are difficult and overwhelming, I remember how special I am to be able to have the opportunity to do these sports!”

Why would you encourage girls at Ridley to get involved in Ridley's art offerings?

Shakeela: “I would encourage involvement in multiple Ridley art offerings. Some examples include the fall play, winter musical, choir, visual arts, media arts, etc. Ridley’s art offerings can complement the athletics that each student must participate in while also allowing students to try something new and broaden their horizons. It helps foster a sense of comradery and helps them develop leadership skills.”

What were some of the most memorable parts of your personal college recruitment process?

Sydney: “I was very lucky to have such an exciting recruitment process and am so thankful to be able to continue my athletics in post-secondary. I think the most meaningful part was knowing the work was starting to pay off and was being seen by others, and it inspired me to keep getting better day by day. My most memorable part was knowing when I found my future home for the next few years and realizing Michigan was the right place for me. The feeling was surreal and something I’ll remember forever.”

What are some of your favourite parts of being in Ridley’s arts community?

Shakeela: “I have met so many people that I otherwise may not have interacted with regularly. My involvement in Ridley’s arts community has resulted in me connecting with other actors and student art critics from Niagara schools. It has given me the opportunity to develop my creative side and has positively impacted my life.”

Nantume Masturah ’25 is a very strong example of a well-rounded student. Along with being an IB Diploma Programme student, she is also one of our Upper School Prefects, one of the highest forms of leadership a Ridley student can pursue. Nantume’s strong leadership qualities are very evident, especially as she is the founder of the non-profit The Youngster’s Appeal, a foundation fighting against period poverty, a prevalent issue that is seen in her home country of Uganda.

What are some ways your non-profit celebrates International Day of the Girl?

Nantume: “For my foundation, we’ve been reaching out to girls and providing menstrual products, as well as reaching out to schools to spread awareness about our foundation. We’ve also started spreading awareness on our social media accounts. As we share more stories through our posts, we also feel that we are creating more change within, not just to the village but to the people who follow us. We can share why girls are being celebrated and why they deserve this celebration.”

What does International Day of the Girl mean to you?

Nantume: “When I hear the word ‘girl,’ many things come to my head. Firstly, there are a lot of things girls go through, which include the stigma around menstruation and girls in other countries not being given equal rights. But, when I see how women are bringing their voices into conversations, and when the girls involved in my foundation begin to share their stories, it makes me envision a future where people, no matter their gender, will be equal.

International Day of the Girl makes an effort to highlight all women, but most importantly, young girls, proving that major accomplishments and leadership roles aren’t just for adults. While this day recognizes “the girl child,” it is for all of us to celebrate and recognize the impact of what women have achieved. Its beauty comes from it not being a ‘one gender’ celebration, but a celebration for all of us. Highlighting a few of the many girls who act as leaders at Ridley can help inspire every girl at Ridley to face their fears, take initiative, and achieve their goals to their highest potential. The support system that girls can receive from their female peers is super important to their success. Once we all celebrate the impact that girls can bring, we will help grow the vision of this holiday a little bit further.”