Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award

Noah Aquino is a proud alumnus of the Durham Catholic District School Board, having attended St. Jude, Holy Redeemer, and graduated from All Saints Catholic Secondary School with French Immersion. 

Noah earned an Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Political Science, with a Minor in Theatre (French Immersion), from the University of Ottawa. While at university, he worked as a Parliamentary tour guide and served as a student ambassador for the university. 

In 2022, he completed a Diploma in Journalism at Seneca College. Today, Noah works on Breakfast Television at Citytv, where he helps create engaging content that connects with audiences across Canada. 

In addition to his media career, Noah is deeply involved in his local community. He is blessed to serve as the Youth and Confirmation Coordinator at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Ajax, where he has led youth programs for over 75 students in grades 6–12 since 2020. This includes overseeing a vibrant summer camp and guiding over 150 students through the preparation process for the Sacrament of Confirmation. 

An active member of both the local and Filipino communities, Noah frequently participates in and hosts key local events, helping to build stronger connections and celebrate cultural diversity. 

Noah credits the Catholic school system and the dedicated educators of the DCDSB for helping shape not only his academic journey but also his faith—foundations he is honoured to share with the next generation.  

Dr. Martina Trinkaus is an Associate Professor and Staff Hematologist at St. Michael’s Hospital with the University of Toronto. She focuses her clinical work on Lymphoid Malignancies. She also serves as a Clinician Educator in the University of Toronto and holds the position of Faculty Lead for the Valuing Clinician Teacher portfolio in the Department of Medicine. From 2013 to 2023 she was the Adult Hematology Program Director, and since that time has trained hundreds of medical students, residents and fellows at UofT.  She is the co-chair of the NFP Women in Cancer. Her research interests include faculty mentorship and improvements in teaching evaluation and performance. She is a Terry Fox Foundation Humanitarian Scholar and is the recipient of many teaching awards both at the University of Toronto and nationally.

Mateya has been fortunate to be a recipient of many awards and opportunities to date, many of which could not be possible without the character building instilled from the role models in her life including her mother, Olha Kalmuk (who adopted Mateya and her sisters and was a valued teacher in the Durham Elementary School board), and many teachers who took the time to show their care and create opportunities for leadership and humanitarian endeavours in elementary and high school. She hopes that this generation of teachers continue to inspire youth, as "To teach is to touch lives forever". Mateya welcomes being contacted to serve as an ongoing mentor to those who wish to pursue medicine and other humanitarian opportunities in our communities. 

D. Tyler Robinson, OCT, is a Toronto-based educator, consultant, and community advocate dedicated to educational excellence and systemic change. A leader in combating anti-Black racism in public education, Robinson has played a pivotal role in curriculum development, teacher training, and policy advocacy, collaborating closely with the TDSB’s Centre of Excellence for Black Student Achievement.

Stepping forward from the community, Robinson ran for provincial office in Scarborough Centre, amplifying the call for a multicentric, justice-driven approach to education. Working alongside Black community stakeholders, he is actively pushing to expand the Deconstructing Anti-Black Racism course across Ontario while continuing to support educators and administrators in embedding anti-racist frameworks into schools.

Dr. Robert Bentley is a cardiovascular physiologist and Assistant Professor within the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education at the University of Toronto. Robert’s research focuses on how individuals differ in their ability to match oxygen delivery to the active muscle’s oxygen demand during physical activity across the health spectrum. As a student at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary School, Robert routinely explored his passion for science and exercise which led him to obtain dual undergraduate degrees from Queen’s University. Robert then completed his graduate training at Queen’s University focusing on vascular control during exercise prior to completing two post-doctoral fellowships focusing on exercise and clinical cardiac physiology at the University of Toronto and Sinai Health. Robert leads a productive research program supported by top research agencies in Canada while delivering invited lectures at provincial, national and international meetings. He is an active member of the University of Toronto community and believes in removing barriers to post-secondary education. Robert’s wife, and high school sweetheart, Amanda is a lawyer and Partner at Loopstra Nixon LLP. Together, they recently adopted their son Siphosethu from South Africa. 

Dr. Annalice Hayes, a school counselor, and author, deeply committed to helping young people grow into confident, self-aware individuals. I've spent my career working in international schools, first in Mexico and now in Qatar, where I serve as a middle school counselor and designated safeguarding lead. My work centres around creating safe, supportive environments where students feel seen, heard, and valued. 

Lisa (Slingerland) Freeman is a proud alumnus of the Durham Catholic District School Board, having attended St. Gregory’s Catholic School for her elementary education and then Monsignor Paul Dwyer Catholic High School.