BridgeTO Youth Superstars: Ilhan
We are excited to introduce snapshots of some of our remarkable students from the BridgeTO graduating class of 2020. They have not only mapped out their dreams into actionable goals but have begun to take their first steps to achieve them. This Spring 2020 we will be highlighting a few who have generously shared their stories with us in order to better reflect who we serve, who you are helping with your donations, and to motivate our future students.
Calc-YOU-later High School! Ilhan is going to UW!
Ilhan, co-president of BridgeTO Youth, has successfully been admitted to the very competitive program at the University of Waterloo of Accounting and Financial Management program, a 5-year accounting program that includes co-op and the possibility of doing your Master’s, a dream that was formed two years ago when Ilhan first met Sammer, from BridgeTO Youth.
A role model for her peers, Ilhan introduces herself as, “A black Muslim girl, growing up in a marginalized community where the odds are set against you.” While such honesty and self-awareness could unsettle some, her strength and tenacious spirit are apparent, not only in her calm voice but in her faithfully mapped out plans and dreams.
Ilhan describes growing up and wanting to live a life bigger than the one presented to her. Accounting was a subject she had found herself dabbling in as a by-product of a grade 10 business course. She later took it again and cemented the fact that she not only had a knack with numbers but really enjoyed accounting. She explained that beyond the reality she lived and observed, few opportunities beyond were shown to her, “BridgeTO opened my eyes to greater opportunities out there.”
Before BridgeTO, Ilhan believed her path would be similar to her older siblings and that she too would pursue the noble profession and program of nursing at Ryerson University. Ilhan however always felt that she did not have the same passion for sciences as she had for accounting. By attending BridgeTO tutoring regularly, three times a week, Ilhan was able to get individualized support to excel in her mathematics courses, required for admission to all of the competitive business and accounting programs in Ontario. There she also met Aazar Zafar, a volunteer tutor, founding member and Chairman of MAX, University of Waterloo alumnus and CPA, CA, and CFA Charterholder. Aazar’s consistent support, enthusiasm for accounting, and unique way of teaching gave Ilhan the reassurance that this was the industry she wanted to pursue. He furthered her understanding of accounting principles and concepts by providing real-life examples and analogies that someone from her age group could relate to. BridgeTOs’ unique quality is that it is supported by volunteers who truly care, as exemplified by Aazar. He went above and beyond by making himself available every week to tutor in his very limited spare time as well as offering more help on holidays for large projects.
BridgeTO also gave Ilhan the unique opportunity to attend the prestigious MAX Gala, where she met Zainab Walji, award recipient of the Professional Excellence Award as well as Partner at PwC. From this meeting, Zainab invited BridgeTO Youth to attend a panel discussion with her peers at PwC and to participate in a financial literacy workshop. This event showed what the reality of Ilhan’s dream could be.
Throughout the year, Ilhan has led her peers by encouraging them to attend BridgeTO events and pursue education beyond high school. Her fun spirit, confidence, and sharp wit have helped her succeed as co-president of BridgeTO and in various events such as the re-branding pitch held at KPMG with BridgeTO.
Ilhan attributes her success to her positive mindset and diligence in academics as important factors to who and where she is today. She is grateful for the love, support, and special mentorship from her BridgeTO tutor and founder, Sammer. BridgeTO believed in Ilhan’s exceptional skills and potential before she did.
Her advice to other students is, "Establish proper study habits earlier on- start in grade 9," and, “Do your best no matter what. Hard work pays off so work hard.”