At the September 21st board meeting, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board welcomed new student trustee, Kate Sontag. 

The Grade 11 student from Patrick Fogarty Catholic Secondary School in Orillia was elected by the Student Senate in May, and began her two-year term in August as student trustee-elect. Kate is working alongside fellow Student Trustee Andrew Jones from St. Theresa’s Catholic High School in Midland. 

Kate has taken on leadership roles in her school community, including implementing and reading the land acknowledgement weekly; attending the When Faith Meets Pedagogy Youth Forum and the Youth Summit for Mother Earth (YSME).  

Outside her school community, Kate swam for the Channel CATS competitive swim club for 3 years and helped younger children with their swimming skills. Kate was a youth leader through the Orillia YMCA and works full time during the summer at a historical touris

t spot in Orillia.

During her term, Kate will represent the 22,000 students in the Board’s 51 Catholic schools and will work with student representatives from the nine secondary schools to bring the student voice to the Trustees. We are looking forward to working with Kate as she serves as student trustee until July 31, 2024.