Charlene Rocha: our 2021 Sean Jackson Memorial Scholarship Winner
Meet Charlene Rocha, our 2021 Award Winner
The Sean Jackson Memorial Scholarship recognizes and rewards the community initiative, innovation, and impact of one Ontario high school graduate who has demonstrated academic excellence and an outstanding commitment to communities. We’re looking for youth leaders who have made an impact, and that student for 2021 was Charlene Rocha.
Charlene identifies as a woman of colour and a member of the LGBTQ2S+ community who excels in her efforts to make STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) more welcoming and accessible to all. She helped to found the Toronto chapter of e-NABLE, the first student-led 3D-printed prosthetic group in Canada. As current President, she guides more than 30 team members on how to assemble and provide prosthetic devices to those with limited access to health care.
She admits her path wasn’t always easy, but she wants to encourage other girls to follow in her footsteps. “I will encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers and lead by example for future generations.” We wish her well as she pursues a degree in software engineering at the University of Waterloo.
