Congratulations to Leaside High School’s graduating class of 2025, who have “spent the last four years doing incredible things,” according to Jonathan LeFresne, guidance counsellor and organizer of the scholarship committee as well as assistant curriculum leader of English and literacy.
The students “have created art, put on plays, won sports competitions and done huge amounts of volunteer work,” he says. “They have programmed robots, created STEM projects, analyzed literature, raised money for charity, and so much more.”
As they head off to many exciting post-secondary destinations, Mr. LeFresne predicts “they will make a significant impact wherever they land.”
Ellie Alexander
With her average of 91%, Ellie Alexander will be attending the University of Western Ontario with a Scholarship of Distinction next year in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She hopes to pursue a career in nursing, eventually becoming a nurse practitioner.
Ellie says she has always been interested in nursing and helping others and has clocked over 300 volunteer hours. She has volunteered at SickKids Hospital in clinical research trials and fundraising efforts. She has also served as a camp counsellor and babysitter and has earned certificates in bronze cross and emergency first aid.
In addition, Ellie has taken part in a variety of sports teams such as varsity slow pitch, rugby, frisbee, and skiing, earning her athletic junior letter in the school. In the community, she was involved in basketball and in martial arts as both a participant earning her black belt and as an instructor.
Other school activities include the Jewish Student Alliance and serving as the co-president of the Leaside Events Council where she organized and managed many school-wide events.
Ellie concludes that she appreciated the LHS community, the French Immersion program, sports teams and teachers. In fact, she credits Helen Panayiotou (see Leaside Life, June 2025) with helping to inspire her choice of a career in nursing by “making biology so much fun.”
Madeleine Fong
Madeleine Fong will be attending the University of Waterloo for Biomedical Engineering this September and, with her average of 95%, is receiving the university’s President’s Scholarship of Distinction Award. While she is open to various pathways involving biomedical engineering, she has been interested in forensics for a long time.
Over the years at Leaside High, Madeleine won awards for French Immersion, STEM, Guitar and community service, and took part in several math and science contests. She was also a member of many clubs such as the Drama Club, Young Writers, Robotics, Peer Tutoring and Stage Crew. Her work as the leader of Stage Crew resulted in her receiving the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Technical Production.
Outside of school, Madeleine was a volunteer at the ROM’s Summer Club program and achieved her orange belt in judo at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. With her involvement in a variety of activities, leadership skills and strong academic record, Madeleine was chosen for the Sarka Spinkova Memorial Award at Commencement.
Madeleine explains that during her time at Leaside, she especially appreciated the opportunity to be involved in the theatre world as stage crew leader, stage manager, actor and participant in the arts trip to New York, all while pursuing her academic goals.
Ananya Paranjape
Ananya Paranjabe received a scholarship from the TD Dream Scholars Program based on her high academic performance, including her 97% final average in Grade 12, and her many extracurricular activities. She will be using it to attend Queen’s University this fall for the Health Sciences program. She also won the LHS Forensics Award and hopes to attend medical school and work in the healthcare field as a family doctor.
Ananya has been involved in several different activities both inside and outside school. At school, she was the founder of the Philosophy Club, managing discussions, organizing debates and promoting events. She was also co-president of the School Events Council, planning and organizing school-wide events such as the Halloween Spook Out. Other activities included serving as a photographer for the school newspaper, volunteering at various school events and acting as a tutor in reading and French.
Ananya has been very busy outside school as well. She has been a swim instructor for children, taekwondo volunteer instructor and biking coach, and served as a volunteer at Toronto History Museums. As well, she has earned certificates in lifeguarding, first aid and CPR.
Ananya reports that what she appreciated most about LHS was the collaborative culture where everyone helped and supported each other to do their best.
Eve Spira
Eve Spira will be very busy when she goes to the University of Ottawa in September. Not only will she be majoring in Medieval and Renaissance Studies in French Immersion, but she will also be working as a Parliamentary Page in the House of Commons as part of the 2025-2026 cohort.
Eve’s many activities inside and outside school have provided her with excellent preparation for these post-secondary experiences. She is graduating with an average of 97% and won the LHS Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and the Chronicle Canadian and World Studies Award. She also took two levels of Latin at the TDSB International Languages School and served as the host and organizer of the Certamen Classics Competition in 2024.
Other positions of responsibility include acting as the president for the school’s Reach for the Top team and Queer-Straight Alliance and directing two school plays.
In addition, Eve has been an active member of Girl Guides of Canada for 12 years and has served as a Junior Leader and mentor. She also had a co-op placement as an administrative assistant for a Member of Provincial Parliament, volunteered as a canvasser for a city councillor, and worked as an office assistant at a day care centre.
Eve credits the many opportunities provided at the school with getting her involved in new interests and fuelling her passions, which she will take into her future endeavours in fields like public service, academics or education.
Matija Tisma
With his final average of 98%, Matija Tisma will receive an Entrance Award to McMaster University to study in the Engineering 1 program “with free choice,” which guarantees that he can choose his preferred branch of engineering after first year.
Over the years, Matija achieved marks of 100% in most of his math courses and won a number of course awards. He took part in several math and science contests and received the Mitchell Kerr Award in Physics and Chemistry at Commencement. In addition, he won the U of T National Book Award and the David Ladkin Award, both of which focus on academic excellence, leadership, service to their schools and communities, and, in the case of the latter, athletics.
At LHS, Matija earned a Senior Letter in Athletics for his participation in ultimate frisbee as MVP, in basketball, soccer and several intramurals including dodgeball, volleyball and hockey. He was also involved in peer tutoring, chess and the robotics club, which won the King Charles III Award for Excellence in Community Service.
Outside school, Matija acted as a referee for various soccer groups and was engaged with his Serbian community through the Troyka Basketball Club as both a player and volunteer.
What he valued most about Leaside was its “community vibe” with everyone working together and supporting each other in all of their many shared activities and experiences. We wish all of these outstanding graduates every success in the future.
