The Kenora Catholic District School Board is proud to introduce Jacob Silva and Thia Payash-Ogemah as the newly elected Student Trustees for the 2025–2026 school year.
Jacob has been elected as the Board’s Student Trustee, while Thia will serve as the Indigenous Student Trustee. Both students are entering Grade 12 at St. Thomas Aquinas High School this fall and were chosen through a school-based nomination and election process in April that saw an impressive 76% voter turnout. Their leadership journey begins on August 1, 2025, when they officially take on their new roles. At the May 21 Board Meeting, trustees passed a motion to appoint Jacob and Thia as Student Trustees for the upcoming term of office.
Jacob Silva is known for his quiet confidence, natural leadership, and deep connection to the land and water. He lives on a lake just outside of Kenora and spends his free time taking photographs, fishing, and tubing with his family. A multi-sport athlete and dedicated student, Jacob has represented the STA Saints soccer team at the provincial level for two consecutive years. He also has a passion for writing and enjoys expressing himself through creative storytelling. Jacob is admired by his peers for his thoughtfulness and his ability to lead with kindness and calm.
“I’m most excited to learn about the intricacies of our school board and all the important decisions that are put into everyday school life,” said Jacob. “It’s hard to get a concept for all the effort put into running the school when it seems like such a normal thing to us students. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to see the decision-making first-hand.”
Thia Payash-Ogemah brings a vibrant voice and strong sense of cultural identity to her new role. She is deeply connected to her Anishinaabe roots and spends time with her grandfather learning about traditional medicine and ceremony. In addition to her academic success, Thia is an accomplished cheerleader who recently led her team to a first-place finish at a major competition. She’s a passionate advocate for health and wellness, with future aspirations to combine traditional and Western approaches to medicine in her career. Thia is described by those around her as compassionate, driven, and grounded in faith and community.
“One goal I have as Student Trustee is to further develop my communication skills in a professional setting,” said Thia. “The thing I’m most excited about in my new role is to connect, learn, and advocate for the various departments in my school.”
The Student Trustee and Indigenous Student Trustee positions are an important part of student voice at the Board level. Student Trustees participate in all public Board Meetings, bring forward student perspectives, and serve as liaisons between their peers and the Board of Trustees. They also represent the Kenora Catholic District School Board at regional and provincial events through the Ontario Student Trustees’ Association (OSTA-AECO).
This year’s election saw a record number of nominations, with 13 students running for Student Trustee and five for Indigenous Student Trustee. Current trustees Ben and Javan, who will complete their terms this summer, led a series of classroom visits and presentations to explain the role and encourage student participation. Both are actively involved in welcoming and mentoring Jacob and Thia during the transition process.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob and Thia into their new roles as Student Trustees,” said Board Chair Teresa Gallik. “Their passion, energy, and dedication to student voice will be a tremendous asset at the Board table. We also want to express our deepest thanks to Ben and Javan for their exceptional service over the past year. They represented their peers with maturity, integrity, and heart, and we are so proud of the legacy they leave behind.”