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TWO NEW TRUSTEES ELECTED: ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND IT SPECIALIST WIN THEIR BY-ELECTIONS
The Toronto Star
March 5, 2012 Monday
Ontario, Canada
Harout Manougian didn't actually grow up in Don Valley East; he grew
up in Markham.
But in an interview, and even on his website, the newly elected Toronto
public school board trustee claims he was "born and raised in Ward 17."
When questioned by the Star, Manougian explained he says that because
he attended private schools in the area and took part in all kinds
of local extracurricular activities.
"I didn't sleep there, but I would say that it's important to reinforce
that's where I've done all my volunteer work, where I went to school,
where I went to church, where my Scout group was," said the 25-year-old
electrical engineer.
Manougian was born at North York General, but home was always in
York Region.
He moved to Toronto's Ward 17 just last fall.
Manougian was one of two new trustees elected to the Toronto District
School Board in a by-election last week; Sam Sotiropoulos won in
Scarborough-Agincourt, Ward 20.
While voter turnout was low - around 11 per cent - both managed to
pull ahead of a total of 29 other candidates also on the ballots.
For Sotiropoulos, an IT specialist who owns his own company, it was
his third time running for trustee.
He grew up in East York and attended public schools there, and now
lives in Scarborough-Agincourt with his wife and young son.
"Education is always something I've had a huge interest in," said
Sotiropoulos, who used to lead after-school computer programs for
the Toronto board.
One of his election promises was to make Scarborough-Agincourt the
"science-technology hub for the rest of the (board)."
"I want the board and the rest of the country learning from us."
Sotiropoulos, who was backed by the union group Campaign for Public
Education, has also worked for Scarborough-Agincourt Liberal MP
Jim Karygiannis.
Manougian has been involved with youth leadership activities for
years and said he "definitely wanted to bring that experience to the
(board)" along with a "youthful perspective."
The University of Waterloo grad is also active in the local Armenian
community.
His big focus is bullying in schools, which he called the No. 1 issue
for children.
"I think I distinguished myself (from other candidates) by really
focusing on the need for safe and welcoming schools because (bullying)
really hinders a child's educational experience," he said. "Fostering
an environment where students stick up for each other provides a much
better culture to grow up in."
The by-elections, which cost $500,000, were called after trustees
Michael Coteau and Soo Wong were elected as MPPs last fall.
Manougian was elected with 974 votes out of a total 5,151 votes cast.
Sotiropoulos won with 1,849 votes out of a total of 6,422.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
The Toronto Star
March 5, 2012 Monday
Ontario, Canada
Harout Manougian didn't actually grow up in Don Valley East; he grew
up in Markham.
But in an interview, and even on his website, the newly elected Toronto
public school board trustee claims he was "born and raised in Ward 17."
When questioned by the Star, Manougian explained he says that because
he attended private schools in the area and took part in all kinds
of local extracurricular activities.
"I didn't sleep there, but I would say that it's important to reinforce
that's where I've done all my volunteer work, where I went to school,
where I went to church, where my Scout group was," said the 25-year-old
electrical engineer.
Manougian was born at North York General, but home was always in
York Region.
He moved to Toronto's Ward 17 just last fall.
Manougian was one of two new trustees elected to the Toronto District
School Board in a by-election last week; Sam Sotiropoulos won in
Scarborough-Agincourt, Ward 20.
While voter turnout was low - around 11 per cent - both managed to
pull ahead of a total of 29 other candidates also on the ballots.
For Sotiropoulos, an IT specialist who owns his own company, it was
his third time running for trustee.
He grew up in East York and attended public schools there, and now
lives in Scarborough-Agincourt with his wife and young son.
"Education is always something I've had a huge interest in," said
Sotiropoulos, who used to lead after-school computer programs for
the Toronto board.
One of his election promises was to make Scarborough-Agincourt the
"science-technology hub for the rest of the (board)."
"I want the board and the rest of the country learning from us."
Sotiropoulos, who was backed by the union group Campaign for Public
Education, has also worked for Scarborough-Agincourt Liberal MP
Jim Karygiannis.
Manougian has been involved with youth leadership activities for
years and said he "definitely wanted to bring that experience to the
(board)" along with a "youthful perspective."
The University of Waterloo grad is also active in the local Armenian
community.
His big focus is bullying in schools, which he called the No. 1 issue
for children.
"I think I distinguished myself (from other candidates) by really
focusing on the need for safe and welcoming schools because (bullying)
really hinders a child's educational experience," he said. "Fostering
an environment where students stick up for each other provides a much
better culture to grow up in."
The by-elections, which cost $500,000, were called after trustees
Michael Coteau and Soo Wong were elected as MPPs last fall.
Manougian was elected with 974 votes out of a total 5,151 votes cast.
Sotiropoulos won with 1,849 votes out of a total of 6,422.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress