By Nikky Perri
On October 23, 2025, 61 passionate secondary students from the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board stepped into a vibrant gathering of over 1,300 young Catholic leaders from across Ontario. The occasion? The Catholic Leadership Youth Forum, a motivational event of When Faith Meets Pedagogy, hosted by the Catholic Curriculum Corporation in Toronto.
This year’s theme, “Stewards of Hope: Sharing our Time, Talent and Treasure,” set the tone for a day filled with purpose, passion, and profound connection. The students were immediately drawn into the energy of the forum, especially by the keynote speaker, Danielle Campo McLeod, a Canadian Paralympic swimmer whose story of resilience and faith stirred hearts and minds. With humour, honesty, and deep spiritual insight, Danielle shared how her journey through adversity became a testament to the power of hope and belief in God. Her message wasn’t just heard, it was felt.
Ethan Lawson, a grade 10 student of St. Thomas More, was struck by the power of faith. Listening to Danielle Campo McLeod’s story, he felt a deep affirmation that “faith and trust in God are so important because He can do all things.”
“Danielle Campo told us her story struggling with muscular dystrophy and how even with that difficulty she kept going forward and being perseverant, getting to the Olympics and winning,” shared Rebeca Boyer, another Grade 10 student from St. Thomas More. “Her story inspired me a lot to follow my faith, trust God’s plan and keep persevering even when circumstances are not optimal.”
Boyer added, “Now Danielle tells her story not to pride herself on her achievements but to share her struggle, faith and perseverance—giving a great example of leadership and inspiration.”
Beyond Danielle’s unforgettable keynote, students engaged with a lineup of speakers who embodied Gospel values in action. From the inclusive community of L’Arche, to the global justice work of Development & Peace, and the spiritual guidance of Father Paul Magyar from the Office of Youth in Toronto, each voice added a new layer to the students’ understanding of faith in the modern world.
The day wasn’t just about listening, it was about living. Students participated in liturgies, music, and meaningful conversations with peers from across the province. These moments of shared reflection and celebration encouraged them to return home not just inspired, but activated to be stewards of hope in their own communities.
Voices of Hope: Student Reflections from WFMP 2025
The 2025 When Faith Meets Pedagogy Youth Forum was more than just a gathering—it was a transformative experience for HWCDSB students, who returned home with hearts full of inspiration and a renewed sense of purpose.
Elisha Perez, a Grade 9 student from Cathedral High School, found herself moved by the wisdom and courage of the speakers. Danielle’s testimony of overcoming illness through faith inspired her to embrace hope even in hardship. She was also energized by the mission of Development & Peace, which sparked ideas for spreading acts of service in her own school community. “We got to see a group of students who decided to partake in this role… it gave me and my fellow members an idea on how we can spread these acts of service.”
Harmony Paschkowiak, a Grade 9 student from Cathedral High School, described the event as “eye-opening.” Danielle’s story gave her courage, and the chance to connect with other faith-driven students was refreshing. “Being introduced to so many different groups in our community who uphold Christianity enlightened my heart.”
Jonathon Kallu, a grade 12 student from St. Thomas More, was deeply impacted by the keynote and breakout sessions. He vividly recalled cheering during Danielle’s race video and reflected on how her perseverance helped him reframe his own struggles. The session on global debt and inequality by Development & Peace opened his eyes to systemic injustice: “It impressed me to think that countries in the Global South and Indigenous cultures pay out more money to debt repayment every year than they pay towards healthcare, education, or the environment.”
Rebeca Boyer reflected further about her experience: “I learned a lot about the Catholic faith and had a chance to connect with other Christian peer leaders. It made me realize that there’s plenty of people swimming towards the same goal of motivating our peers and schools to move towards faith rather than away from it.”
