Evan Bonner, a Grade 12 student at École Plamondon School, is making an impact with the school's Grade 4 students through his involvement in their class. Every afternoon, from after lunch until the end of the day, Evan dedicates his time to supporting the students and assisting in the classroom.
Evan first started working with Grade 4 students last year and quickly realised how much he enjoyed the experience.
“I wanted to work with kids who were old enough to be independent but still young enough to want to be at school, and want to be friends with everyone,” he explained. “I really liked Ms. Delorme’s class, so I thought, why not give it a try? Last year’s group was great, and this year I lucked out with another awesome bunch.”
Now in his second year helping in the classroom, he says that among the things he loves the most is the connections that he has formed with the young students.
“It's such a nice feeling when they come to me for help,” he said. “It makes me feel like I’m really making a difference. When I miss a day, I walk in and they’re excited to see me and calling my name. Yesterday, I got big hugs all around because I was away for exam week. It’s a really nice feeling.”
For Evan, working with Grade 4 students has been both fun and eye-opening. He appreciates their curiosity and the humour they bring to school every day. “They ask the funniest questions, and some of the jokes they tell don’t even make sense, but you laugh anyway because it’s genuine.”
Evan credits his younger brother, Dawson, with helping him develop the patience and empathy that make him a great mentor.
“Having a little brother taught me a lot. If I didn’t have Dawson, I’d probably be more focused on myself,” he reflected. “When I started working with the Grade 4 kids, he was just a bit older, so I kind of knew what to expect. But honestly, I’ve always liked being around kids, so that makes it easy.”
Outside of school, Evan enjoys outdoor activities like quadding, biking, sledding, and fishing. He also has a passion for audio.
“I love working with sound—mixers, speakers, anything audio-related,” he said. “I even set up my truck’s sound system."
Rhonda Plamondon, an Educational Assistant at École Plamondon School, has witnessed Evan’s impact firsthand.
“Evan has a natural ability to connect with younger students, manage behaviours, and assist in the classroom,” she said. “He is amazing with the younger kids and has an intuitive ability beyond his years. When he’s in the library, I often have elementary students stop in just to see him. He has volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and often helps out at school events.”
Patti Ilomin, the school’s Student Advocacy Counsellor, echoed those sentiments.
“Evan has been a real mentor to the younger students and has had helped them in so many ways,” she said. “He supports their emotional and mental well-being by assisting with sensory breaks and helping provide critical grounding strategies. The students gravitate toward him—kids will cheer him on during assemblies, seek him out for support, a high five, or just to say hi. The class lights up when he comes in, and the older students always identify Evan as a helper and someone they can trust.”
Northern Lights Public Schools is proud to recognize Evan Bonner as this month’s Student Shining Star for his dedication to creating a supportive and welcoming environment for younger students.