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Murdoch MacKay Grade 12 student Taylor Daigneault (left) is shown with Governor General David Johnston during a roundtable discussion on June 5.

SUPPLIED PHOTO BY SGT. RONALD DUCHESNE, RIDEAU HALL

Murdoch MacKay Grade 12 student Taylor Daigneault (left) is shown with Governor General David Johnston during a roundtable discussion on June 5.

A pair of Transcona students were able to rub shoulders with some royal company on June 5.

Grade 12 students Tyler Davis of Transcona Collegiate Institute and Taylor Daigneault of Murdoch MacKay Collegiate met with Governor General David Johnston as part of the royal representative’s Smart & Caring Nation initiative. The local roundtable with nearly 100 students took place at Fort Gibraltar in St. Boniface.

Johnston’s visit comes as part of a nationwide tour that seeks to get young people involved in their respective communities. Three youth activists, Michael Champagne, Chelsea Caldwell, and Evan Wiens, made presentations to help inspire attendees.

Daigneault, 18, a co-president at Murdoch MacKay, welcomed the opportunity to meet with fellow committed young people seeking to serve the community.

"We had about 100 students in the room talking about the things that they’re passionate about," Daigneault recalled. "It was actually very moving to see people who care so much."

Transcona Collegiate Institute Grade 12 student Tyler Davis (back row right) is shown with Governor General David Johnston at a roundtable discussion on June 5.

SUPPLIED PHOTO BY SGT. RONALD DUCHESNE, RIDEAU HALL

Transcona Collegiate Institute Grade 12 student Tyler Davis (back row right) is shown with Governor General David Johnston at a roundtable discussion on June 5.

Daigneault also runs human rights activist and awareness group Students Promoting Global Unity, which organizes clothing drives for women’s shelters and anti-bullying forums. He is also involved in Me to We, among other groups at his school.

Davis, 17, said the main message he took from the day was how interwoven community activities can be — as those doing going works will find good works reciprocated.

"At one point in time, somebody you know will be affected by that fundraising," said Davis, who is involved in Youth in Philanthropy, student council, and TCI’s school store.

The event was organized by United Way of Winnipeg, which brought members of its Toronto delegation and local board chair Ayn Wilcox to the event. As well, Minister of Children and Youth Opportunities Kevin Chief brought greetings from the province.

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