Fuel Efficiency Blog
Grade 10 Notre Dame High School student Kassandra Gagné (pictured here) wants to get out and experience the world firsthand. As far as she’s concerned, it’s the only way to learn how she can make a difference. She applies that philosophy to discovering everything—from the classes and music she likes, to the best way she can give back to the community. So when her mother, Kim, told her there was an opportunity to volunteer with One Change: Fuel, Kassandra was quick to sign up.
“I wanted to get involved so that I can get more experience out in the world and help others at the same time,” says Kassandra. “I think it’s important to help out because if you don’t get those experiences, you won’t know what you’re missing.”
She certainly doesn’t believe in doing anything by half measures. When Kassandra offered to lend One Change: Fuel a hand in distributing free digital tire gauges and empowering Ottawa drivers to make smart choices for the environment, she signed up for not one, but THREE of our Canadian Tire fuel efficiency clinics. She was one of our most dedicated volunteers at the September 6 Carling Avenue clinic, the September 12 Merivale Road clinic, and the September 13 Barrhaven clinic. Putting her own energy to good use, Kassandra held up our One Change: Fuel sign and directed people to our booth for their free tire gauge and valuable Canadian Tire coupons.
Kassandra also helped dole out coffee and cookies at our clinics—a task that held special appeal for the 15-year-old who loves to bake. In fact, the class she’s most looking forward to this semester is a cooking course that’s part of a tourism and hospitality program at her school. “I’m really excited to take that,” she says. “Last year, in Grade 9, there was an afterschool cooking program. We got a recipe one day for chicken fettuccini alfredo and I made that twice this summer for my parents.” The recipe was a hit. But Kassandra wasn’t satisfied to leave it at that. She wanted to make a difference and make the dish her own. So she played with the ingredients until she found just the right combination. The result? Delicious!
From cooking to volunteering to musical theatre, the straight-A student council member thrives on trying new things and getting as many experiences as she can—all so she can discover how to make a difference in the world. Being involved with One Change: Fuel, says Kassandra, gave her a new perspective on how big an impact people can have on the environment by taking one simple action. “It really changed how I look at what we can do to save energy,” she says. “(Volunteering for One Change) helps the community because you’re getting out there and you’re learning a lot about saving energy, and you get a different experience on how you can help the environment firsthand.”
Now there’s a difference that counts. We’re looking forward to more from Kassandra as she continues to leave her mark on the world. If her early years are any indication, she’s just getting warmed up.
