News > 2009 > Claire Charles, Valérie Laganière and Étienne Lapointe Awarded Lieutenant-Governor’s Youth Medals

Claire Charles, Valérie Laganière and Étienne Lapointe Awarded Lieutenant-Governor’s Youth Medals

         

June 29, 2009

Claire Charles, in her final year of the MSc in Administration program, and Valérie Laganière and Étienne Lapointe, recent BBA graduates, have been awarded the Lieutenant-Governor’s Youth Medal in recognition of their academic excellence and social commitment.

Throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, Claire Charles has been involved in student associations. During her BBA studies, she co-ordinated a training program through the Association des étudiants en TI to help students develop their information technology (IT) skills. She managed a team of 10 trainers giving 30 training sessions for 2,000 students. Since 2007, she has been President of the Association générale des étudiants de M. Sc. et de Ph. D. Thanks to her efforts to increase the availability of academic, cultural and professional activities for Association members, 13 new activities were organized in 2008-2009. She also helped develop a Website better adapted to students’ needs and create an electronic newsletter. Claire has been awarded four merit scholarships, and her excellent marks earned her a place on the MSc honour roll in 2008. 


In 2007-2008, Valérie Laganière was responsible for welcoming activities for the Association des étudiants de HEC Montréal and for the mentorship program for exchange students at the School. Then, in 2008-2009, she served as Vice-President, External Relations, with the International Student Network (ISN). In 2009, Valérie explored another aspect of student life, taking part in the Commerce Games as a team member for the ethics case competition – the team placed second. Following up on her experience at the Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, in Milan, which she attended as part of the international exchange program, she enrolled in the Campus Abroad course, which this year will be held in China. In addition to her studies, Valérie competes as a synchronized skater. She is a member of the national team, and in 2009 she was crowned Canadian champion and ranked sixth in the senior World Championships, held in London, Ontario. Next fall, Valérie will start studying toward her Master’s degree at ESADE, in Barcelona.

Étienne Lapointe has won Merit and Leadership admission scholarships and five other scholarships during his studies. He joined the Student Investment Fund when he first arrived at HEC Montréal. This experience allowed him to develop his leadership, and led him to the position of President of the Fund in 2008-2009. He spent one term at the Università Commerciale Luigi Bocconi, in Milan, and took the opportunity to learn Italian. His time in Italy gave him a taste for travel and other cultures, and in early June Étienne left for Ghana, where he will be taking part in a humanitarian assistance project. During his time at HEC Montréal, this youngest member of the Saint-Lambert municipal Recreation, Culture and Community Life Committee has also written a book offering students advice and tips on achieving a balance between their studies and an active and committed social life.

Continuing a tradition

The purpose of the Lieutenant-Governor of Québec Awards Program is to recognize Quebecers who through their involvement, determination and desire to go beyond their personal bests, have had a positive influence on their community or Quebec. There are three honour categories:

The Lieutenant-Governor’s Youth Medal is awarded every year to deserving graduates of high schools, CEGEPs and universities and vocational and adult education centres in Quebec. The certificates awarded to each year’s prize winners are recorded in a register specially designed by Lucie Morin, a master art binder.