Jerri Clout, 17, is a student at West Ferris Secondary School. She is an honours student and a youth leader, who has won numerous awards including the national Youth in Motion's Top 20 Under 20 Award and the chamber of commerce Student of the Year Award.

Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: My goal is HIV prevention and education in the school system across Ontario. With Patrick 4 Life, I have worked very hard over the past five years to accomplish this goal. More than 6,000 students have been reached through the program.

Q: Who is your most valued mentor?
A: Nancy Dewer Stenning has been involved with the Near North District School Board's robotics initiative for 10 years. I met her in 2006 when I joined the team. I was well underway with my AIDS initiatives, and she helped me integrate all areas of my life to find balance. Of course, my family has always been an invaluable source of mentoring and support to me.

Q: What do you love most about North Bay
      and area ?
A: It takes a special community to listen to someone so young talk about such a challenging topic. I have had such wonderful support from all of the local politicians, teachers, principals and school boards. People are willing to give me a chance.

Q: What else would you like to accomplish?
A: This September I am heading off to university to study Music and Health Sciences as a double major. I don't have a specific career plan, but my goal is to work in a field where my passion can make a difference in world issues.