September's Featured Students are Kirsten LePage and Rochelle Dorosh!

These two Edmontonian friends are extraordinary.  As you will see when you read through their profiles, these French Immersion graduates are organizing a fundraiser in order to set up a scholarship for future French Immersion students at their school.

If you are in Edmonton on September 25th, why not attend Francophilosophie? Kirsten and Rochelle also accept financial donations and books in French.  Contact us for more details!



Kirsten (left) and Rochelle

Kirsten... in her own words:
My name is Kirsten LePage and I will be 18 on September 23rd.  To tell you the truth, I did not discover my passion for the French language until Grade 7, when I enrolled in Late French Immersion.  After a trial of couple months full of uncertainty and frustration, I started to appreciate the Francophone world and its literature, music and effect on my mind.

During my high school years in the French Immersion program, I put all my efforts into building up my skills and to help French flourish at my school.  When I was in Grade 12, I pushed myself by acting in the French play at my school and by becoming an ambassador for French for the Future.

At the moment, Rochelle and I are organizing a fundraiser concert at the end of September in order to be able to set up a scholarship fund for future French Immersion students (I’m so excited!).

Aside from my French activities, I love swimming very early every morning before starting my day.   I am also always looking for ways to volunteer either at school events of festivals in Edmonton.  While I’m working or studying, I’m almost always singing!

Name: Kirsten LePage

Age: 17

Grade: 1st year at the University of Alberta’s Campus Saint-Jean

City: Edmonton, Alberta

First language: English

Favourite music:  Maroon 5 and Cœur de pirate

Favourite food:  Cheese

Favourite French book: Un homme et son péché by Claude-Henri Grignon

Favourite way of practicing French: Texting in French

Why she thinks it is important to learn French: Being bilingual is an important part of the Canadian identity!

Best experience “en français”:  My week in Halifax for the National Ambassador Youth Forum organized by French for the Future.

The coolest Francophone country is, in her opinion: Canada!

How she will use her French skills in the future: I hope to find a job in a bilingual environment!

A place she would like to go: France



Rochelle... in her own words:
I am a graduate of the French Immersion program and throughout these past 13 years I have developed a great passion for the French language.  With regards to extracurricular activities, I plan to join a Francophone soccer team in the fall and to continue swimming with Kirsten!  I draw and paint (often watercolour) when I have time.  Also, I knit regularly and am part of a photography club.

Over the summer, Kirsten and I organized “Francophilosophie,” a fundraiser to help set up a scholarships for graduates of the French Immersion program at Harry Ainlay (our old high school).  During the process, we met a lot of people who were extremely generous with their help.  I am so excited for the show and hope that if you are free on September 25th, that we will see you there!

While travelling, I realized I loved architecture and decided to pursue it as a career.  I will do two years at NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) in their “Architectural Technology” program and then continue at McGill University.

Name: Rochelle Dorosh

Age: 18

Grade: 1st year at  NAIT

City: Edmonton, Alberta

First language: English

Favourite musician: At the moment, Vincent Vallières

Favourite food: sushi

Favourite French book: Le petit prince

Favourite way of practicing French: Texting or using Facebook in French

Why she thinks it is important to learn French: In my opinion, Canadians have a responsibility to be able to speak both of their country’s official languages.  Besides, it’s a wonderful language and culture!

Best experience “en français”: There are too many, but one of my favourites was when Kirsten and I participated in GoAGA, one of the FJA activities (Francophonie jeunesse de l’Alberta).  I was surrounded by young people who also believe that French is important.  It was fantastic!

The coolest Francophone country is, in her opinion: France

How she will use her French skills in the future: I hope to finish my studies in Quebec and then one day work in a bilingual architecture firm.

A place she would like to go: Germany