Humans of ECSD is a digital storytelling series that shines a light on the heart of Catholic education: our students.
Launched in 2018 and inspired by Humans of New York, this annual campaign shares authentic stories from across Edmonton Catholic Schools. Each year, we feature students who live their faith in meaningful ways, serve others with compassion, and show what it means to reflect Christ’s love in daily life.
The campaign launches each spring in connection with World Catholic Education Day, which is a time to recognize and honour the gift of Catholic education in Alberta and around the world. From Monday, May 26 to Friday, May 30, we'll share a new video each day.
Watch below to meet our Humans of ECSD and experience how our students bring faith, learning, and service to life in our schools and communities.
Meet our Humans of ECSD!
Aryam - St. Catherine Catholic Elementary/Junior High School
Meet Aryam, a caring and compassionate Grade 9 student at St. Catherine Catholic Elementary/Junior High School. Aryam goes out of her way to support newcomer students by offering translation assistance, helping ensure everyone feels welcomed and supported. Known among her peers for her leadership and resilience, Aryam is a shining example of what it means to lead with faith and compassion and is a valued member of her school community.
Hannah - Centre for Diverse Learning at St. Gabriel Catholic School
Meet Hannah, a remarkable Grade 11 student from the Centre for Diverse Learning at St. Gabriel Catholic School. Hannah discovered a love for music, and that passion has helped this shy student step into the spotlight as a leader at her school.
Just two years ago, she picked up a harp for the first time. As she learned to play, something shifted. Music gave her a sense of joy that’s helped her grow more confident in everything she does. Now, she’s not only sharing her gifts with her school community but also finding ways to make a difference in the world around her.
Gift - Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School
Meet Gift, a dedicated leader in Grade 12 from Archbishop MacDonald Catholic High School who is making the most of her high school experience.
Grounded in her faith, Gift believes that when you find your passion, you’ll find your voice and easily step into the role of leader. Whether choreographing performances for the Afro Dance Group or helping plan school-wide cultural events through the Mosaic Club, Gift finds purpose in building community and connection.
As she looks ahead to graduation, Gift encourages other students to get involved and make the most of their time in high school. She says you might be surprised by how quickly this chapter passes and how meaningful it becomes.
Mikayla - St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High School
Humans of ECSD highlights students who live out their faith, lead with purpose, and strengthen their communities. Mikayla is one of them. The Grade 9 student from St. Nicholas Catholic Junior High School recently celebrated her baptism, a significant step in her Catholic faith journey. Guided and encouraged by her teachers to build a closer relationship with God, Mikayla believes her calling is to care for others and inspire them to be the best version of themselves.
As we mark World Catholic Education Day, we recognize students like Mikayla who embody the spirit of Catholic education in their daily lives.
Daniel - Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School
Daniel is one of this year’s Humans of ECSD, recognized for his discipline, leadership, and service.
The Grade 12 student from Mother Margaret Mary Catholic High School isn’t afraid to take on a challenge. He represents his school on multiple sports teams and is hoping to win his fifth Metro Athletics City Championship with MMM. He excels as an honours student, taking on a full Advanced Placement course load, and leads the Robotics Team. Grounded in faith, Daniel turns to God in times of difficulty and is an active member of his parish community.