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National nod for Surrey teen’s leadership skills

Ivneet Bains honoured in Top 20 Under 20 list.
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Ivneet Bains

A Surrey teenager has been selected as one of the top 20 young leaders in the country.

Ivneet Bains, 19, was chosen as a recipient of Top 20 Under 20 honours, a national youth award presented by Youth in Motion that rewards young Canadians who show significant innovation, achievement and leadership.

Bains, a longtime avid volunteer and graduate of Panorama Park Secondary, was recognized for a math mentorship program he developed.

Soon after immigrating from India in 2007, Bains founded Math4me, an organization which develops youth academically and socially. It is managed by university and high school students and focuses on math and fostering self-confidence through public speaking such as debates.

“Bullying and the lack of motivation and guidance among students inspired me to change (students’) attitudes through volunteering,” he says.

Math4me now boasts 16 employees and has impacted more than 300 students. Some participants’ grades have increased by 60 per cent.

Bains’ plans are to remain devoted to his organization and grow it so he can reach his goal of affecting a million lives and achieving Math4me’s mission statement: students today, scholars tomorrow.

In an interview with The Leader before his high school graduation two years ago, Bains already had big plans.

“I’m so passionate about my studies and whenever I study I have the feeling I want to gain something from that. My goal is to help people in the world,” he said.

His passion stretched far beyond academics even then, however, as he listed his volunteer work with local environmental groups and at the hospital.

“I live, I don’t just exist,” he said.

sreynolds@surreyleader.com