Mateo Carreras is the modern version of a renaissance man: he is curious, a risk-taker, creative, has perseverance and self-discipline, has a thirst for knowledge and new experiences, and excels in physical, intellectual, artistic and social fields. Mateo’s leadership is very subtle, never loud or boastful; it is a simple gesture like opening a door for someone, helping peers in a guitar class refine their technique, or providing potentially life-saving first aid assistance.
Mateo excels in music, languages, the sciences, mathematics, humanities, computer animation and programming, and visual arts. However, the school cannot take credit for all his accomplishments as he is self-taught in coding and created his own app by the time he was in Grade 7. Mateo picked up the trumpet in grade 6 and is an accomplished guitar player. The only field missing from Mateo’s school life is athletics, which Mateo pursued outside of school in the pool. Mateo began swimming in Grade 7, and five years later has earned his Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, Standard First Aid, National Lifeguard: Pool, National Lifeguard: Waterpark, and Water Safety Instructor certifications. Mateo also volunteers his time at the pool as an assistant and instructor in training.
With his Lifeguard certification, Mateo learned the skills required to be a PMSS first aid attendant. He is presently gaining real life experience dealing with a variety of medical emergencies that can happen during the school day. He has worked both independently and with the school’s WorkSafeBC First Aid attendant, and has attended to assist BC Ambulance Service Paramedics. Mateo is mature for his age, calm in an emergency and utterly reliable.
Mateo maturity is also apparent in his choice of hobbies – politics. Mateo is on the provincial NDP executive for Pitt Meadows as a Young New Democrat member and attends their weekly meetings and the YND conference once per year. Mateo has probably knocked on your door while canvassing during campaigns. Being involved in deciding who makes the decisions for our society is something that is very important to Mateo. He is a well-respected member of our school community and will continue to make a difference in our world.
About Leaders of Tomorrow
The Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows School District (SD42) has teamed up with the Maple Ridge News to celebrate local students who are making a difference at school and in the community. Elementary and secondary students featured as Leaders of Tomorrow were picked by their principals for making positive achievements in academics, sports, arts and community involvement.
The list is just a sample of outstanding students in the school district selected by their school during the 2018/19 school year – there are many others who were equally deserving of recognition for their exemplary achievements both inside and outside the classroom. Every Tuesday throughout the school year, SD42 will profile a student selected as one of the 2019 Leaders of Tomorrow.
