Yan, a Grade 12 student at Sacred Heart High School in Ottawa, placed first in the annual AMAPCEO essay contest organized by the province’s union for public sector managers.

The Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario provided a $750 prize for her essay addressing the association’s topic of preserving public service today and in the future. The contest has been running since 2011.

“ In my essay, I argued that in order to maintain Ontario’s high quality of life and altruistic values, we must continue to have a strong public service,” said Yan in an e-mail.

She almost didn’t apply because, having only lived in Canada for three years, she doubted she had a strong grasp on the subject matter.

“It was clear to us that she was or would quickly become an informed, engaged citizen, well deserving of the democratic right to vote, as her vote would band history, along with a reflection of her personal values,” said contest judge Barbara Gough, secretary of the association and senior policy advisor for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

“This has really been an exciting new experience for me and I would like to thank so many people for supporting me and helping me get here,” Yan said.