I'm Sophia Rae, a grade 12 student at École Secondaire Du Sommet.
I have a lot of passions and I have been lucky to be able to pursue them to the degree in which I have. My love for entrepreneurship became more and more prevalent as I aged. Starting out when I was only 13 where I began speaking to large groups of over 500 people. This led me to then identify myself as a public speaker and mental health advocate having traveled around Atlantic Canada speaking to students, as well as conferences, and the Department of Education.
I focus on the importance of trauma literacy and mental wellness, which is a subject that is close to my heart, after the unexpected loss of my aunt, Lisa McCully, who was killed in the NS massacre in 2020. This event really highlighted for me the need for more teen mental health support, and I was lucky enough to have a teen voice to advocate for others. This is why my talks land so well with my peers.
I also came to recognize that trauma informed support should be offered within the school system using trauma informed teaching regularly within the classroom. I have therefore presented to the MK School Board and MSVU in the education department on multiple occasions.
I am ARC Trauma Training certified through Margaret Blaustein, PhD and certified in Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness. As well having received my level 1 Anxiety Recovery and 200hr Yoga Instructor certification by Jenny Kierstead.
I am also co-host and producer of Spark, a mother daughter journey Podcast and Co-ceo of Girl on Fire, which I do alongside my mom, Jenny Kierstead.
Lastly I am a singer/songwriter and have had the opportunity to collaborate with accomplished musicians such as Jennah Barry and currently Meaghan Smith.
I’ve performed in a Tedx at the mere age of fourteen as well as on public television to an audience of over 200,000 people. I am very passionate about increasing the level of awareness and support for young entrepreneurs and have recently worked with my CSAP school board to be profiled as an emerging entrepreneur where I created worksheets and podcast episodes to workshop the key ingredients of entrepreneurship.
I am someone who loves to create in my free time and this usually translates into poetry or even short novellas. Social connection is extremely important to me and of course none of these accomplishments would have been possible without the endless support of my family.
Fun fact: My sister Bella (who’s two years younger) cooks all my meals!
I am alive thanks to her. Stay tuned for her catering business:)
