The Medium Vol.52 Candidate Statements
Editor-in-Chief
Aya Yafaoui
I would like to express my interest in running for the Editor-In-Chief position for Volume 52. As a member of The Medium since Volume 46, I have seen The Medium through six years of its history. I’ve helped the team overcome multiple challenges and iterations. I have stayed connected to this organization and its people because I believe in our small student-run newspaper, and I believe in the necessity and importance of student journalism. Our paper not only gives our community a voice, it is also a record of our experiences and history. It would be an honour to help guide our organization forward as we continue to uphold the principles of honesty, truth, inclusion, equity, accuracy, and objectivity.
I have held many different positions throughout my time at The Medium, from contributor to section editor to columnist, and now as Volume 51’s Managing Editor. All of these roles have given me the opportunity to enhance my communication skills, organizational skills, and leadership skills. In my role as Managing Editor, I have also worked on the administrative and organizational tasks required to keep The Medium functioning, from planning publishing schedules and overseeing articles, to supporting our Masthead, and working with the EIC on budgetary and directory tasks. I am intimately knowledgeable and aware of the inner workings of the organization and the challenges The Medium faces in the years to come. I have also held other positions, such as the co-host of UTM’s Department of Political Science podcast, Over The Podium, and as a Teaching Assistant for the University of Waterloo’s Political Science program. In both roles, I had the opportunity to hone my interpersonal skills by talking with professors, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds and interests.
As Editor-In-Chief, I have three main goals for The Medium moving into Volume 52. The first would be to re-establish our online and physical presence on campus through social media, as well as engaging with the student body directly through tabling, events, and outreach workshops. Coupled with this goal, I would redo our current website to protect against hacking, but more importantly, to make it more accessible and informative. My third goal will be to work with the Masthead and our writers to safeguard the paper from the use of AI, as The Medium values the original work of student writers and illustrators. Finally, my vision for Volume 52 is one that not only improves upon the fantastic work of Volume 51’s team, but also one that sets up The Medium for a successful existence for years into the future.
News Editor
Aaron Calpito
I am a third-year undergraduate working towards a double major in political science and anthropology and a minor in environmental management at UTM. As an Associate News Editor and with extensive experience in volunteer outreach and mentorship positions, I am confident I can bring strong writing, interpersonal, and engagement skills to the News Editor position at The Medium.
In October 2024, I started writing for The Medium and swiftly became an Associate News Editor. To date, I have proudly written ten articles for the newspaper with plans to write at least three more before the 2025 summer sign-off.
Aside from The Medium, I am an avid volunteer at UTM. Whether it be conducting research in the Social Innovation Project to help the IEC, taking part in Alternative Reading Week to connect with community partners, or mentoring local high school students in the CSE’s Community Leadership Development Program, I am constantly looking for ways to become involved in and help improve campus life.
After writing for The Medium for the past few months, I am amazed at how much goes on around campus that I had previously known nothing about. I learn something new about UTM with every weekly issue, and I am always thrilled to share my discoveries with The Medium’s readers.
Thus, I believe it is The Medium’s responsibility to ensure that all aspects of campus life, from glamorous department events to behind-the-scenes bureaucracy, are transparent and knowable to the UTM community. As News Editor, I would ensure that The Medium always fulfills this responsibility by producing diverse, factual, and relevant news articles.
I intend to bring informed and empathetic leadership to assist Associate News Editors and contributors in their journalistic endeavours, so that The Medium continues to be a platform for creativity, curiosity, and inspiration.
Opinion Editor
Massimo Bozzo
My name is Massimo Bozzo and as a graduating student in the Professional Writing and Communications program, I intend to run for the Opinion Editor position for the upcoming year. Throughout my time at UTM, I have written and edited for ICCIT’s Vision, Compass, and Mindwaves magazines, EDSS’s Folia and WCCT magazines, and here at The Medium as a contributor. I’ve learned through my coursework and personal stories that I have a passion for writing and wish to take my passion further by helping students to write and edit for a publication that allows them to write their mind and explore their interests just as I have. My plan is to make more themed sections that allow students to write small pieces to get them interested in writing and comfortable writing for a publication without making a major commitment and expecting too much of them, especially those who have bust semesters and feel like writing may not be feasible for them. I also want to try and bring back old sections of The Medium such as some multimedia sections including humans of UTM and themed letters throughout the year. Even though this goes beyond opinion writing, it gives students an opportunity to show themselves and others while contributing on a unique level of creativity and identity. Thank you for your time and consideration and I wish The Medium all the best in the upcoming year.
Yasmine Benabderrahmane
This is Yasmine Benabderrahmane and I am absolutely honoured to run as a candidate for The Medium’s Opinion Section Editor. I first came across The Medium as a first year student, moving back to Canada after fourteen years of living abroad, scared of my voice—and as a fourth-year, graduating student, I promise to uphold the legacy of the Opinion as a section of challenging views and general commentary, as it has been administered by the Editors before. In that, I want the paper to continue to be a haven of thoughts, reason, and absurdity.
Qualifications
For three years, I worked with The Medium in multiple capacities. I was a Contributor and Staff Writer for Volume 49 and Volume 51. I also served as an Associate Opinion Editor for Volume 50, working alongside two talented Editors of the section. I am also an independent creative writer. Outside of the writing world, I am a political activist and my involvement in the current world play has been one of radical opinions. For that, I promise to advocate for the dignity of marginalised voices. My presence on campus, from the UTM Mock Trial Club to Champions of Change UTM and other volunteer positions, has grounded me within the campus’ community and I am confident in my ability to reflect the community’s voice within the section.
Plans
Amplifying student voices, and in return, student presence, within The Medium’s Opinion section would be a great personal aspiration; if granted the position. I would love to bring back a more consistent column project to the section, something that would attract students of all backgrounds, regardless of writing expertise. An initiative I have considered is a Confession Column, where short collective confessions about an issue or topic on campus can be debated in a bi-weekly column. Students love to gossip, and what better way than to create a safe & civil space for that! I want the Opinion section to become a place of controversy whilst maintaining its fundamental ideals of respect.
Thank you for your consideration—and good luck to all!
Sameera Muna
As a psychology student and lifelong reader, I understand the power of writing as
a tool for communication, strategy, and change. My experience tutoring high
school and college students has honed my ability to refine work, provide
constructive feedback, and ensure clarity in writing—skills essential for an editor.
Every article serves a higher purpose: to introduce, explain, and defend ideas that
matter. As Opinion Editor, I will not only oversee the refinement of these ideas
but also help devise strategies for effectively communicating them. This includes
defining key issues, educating readers, garnering support, and ensuring our
message reaches the right audience. Writing must have an intended
demographic, and I will work to ensure our publication appeals to and resonates
with UTM students.
To stay in touch with student concerns, I plan to introduce surveys, using
platforms like SurveyMonkey, to understand the topics that matter most to our
readers. The Medium should serve as a sounding board for students, reflecting
the pressing issues on campus and in the broader world. Whether it’s
environmental sustainability, diversity and inclusion, academic challenges, global
crises, or just a piece filled with student creativity and opinions, our publication
must engage with the real concerns of our community. Through this, I will help
ensure that The Medium remains relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
Jia Bawa
Opinion writing is not about sharing singular perspectives, it is about fostering conversations, challenging ideas, and amplifying voices that deserve to be heard. As an Associate Opinion Editor at The Medium, I have dedicated myself to shaping compelling narratives, ensuring that our section remains thought-provoking and relevant, curating content that challenges ideas and resonates with the UTM community. Now, I am eager to take on a greater leadership role as The Medium’s Opinion Editor, to further develop our reach, innovation, and student engagement.
In my current role, I have worked closely with writers, edited submissions, and consistently contributed articles, refining our section’s voice and journalistic integrity. My editorial leadership extends beyond The Medium: previously, as Editor-in-Chief of GirlUp Bhopal and Creative Head of Civitas, I led editorial teams, managed content strategies, and oversaw large-scale publication initiatives. These experiences have honed my ability to lead an editorial team, execute a clear content vision, and strengthen a publication’s impact.
As Opinion Editor, I aim to expand The Medium’s presence beyond print by making it a true hub for student dialogue and engagement. I plan to introduce an anonymous advice column, offering UTM students a space to share their thoughts and receive peer-driven advice, creating a stronger sense of community and trust in our publication. Additionally, I will lead a strategic rebrand of our Instagram, boosting visibility through engaging reels, editorial board takeovers, and behind-the-scenes content that showcases our newsroom process. Once we build a steady online following, I aim to revive our podcast, The Message, launching Season 3 with student-driven segments covering campus issues, article spotlights, Q&As, and collaborations with student clubs.
With my editorial experience, leadership skills, and vision for an expanded multimedia presence, I am eager to lead the Opinion Section into a new era, one that is dynamic, student-driven, and deeply connected to the UTM community.
Ruth Baker
Hi there! My name is Ruth Baker. I’m a fourth-year professional writing and communications student at UTM. I’m excited to run for the position of Opinion Editor for the 2025-2026 year. With my five years of editing experience and passion for engaging discussions, I believe I’m the ideal candidate to bring thought-provoking pieces to this section.
Previously, I was the Lead Editor for the Health and Counselling Centre’s Blog. I recruited contributors, edited submissions for clarity and relatability, ensured a compelling narrative voice and crafted social media campaigns that increased blog readership. Additionally, I completed a year-long editing course, strengthening my ability to maintain editorial standards and provide insightful feedback to writers.
What makes me ideal for the Opinion section is my deep engagement with social media trends and cultural discourse. I keep up with online conversations, viral debates, and emerging topics. This will allow me to curate timely, relevant, and creative pitches each week. I want the Opinion section to reflect what students are actually talking about, making it a must-read space for lively, well-argued perspectives. Because I will be graduating this year, I’ll be able to prioritize deadlines and make sure articles are ready to be published each week.
If selected, I plan to expand the range of voices in the section by encouraging diverse perspectives and tackling a mix of campus issues, pop culture, and social commentary. I would also implement new ways for students to engage with The Medium by creating a social media page on Threads and anonymous submissions to understand the opinions of the UTM community. My goal is to publish compelling, well-reasoned pieces.
I look forward to the opportunity to bring my editorial skills, creativity and passion for compelling writing to this role. Thank you for your consideration.
Features Editor
Madhav Ajayamohan
I am excited to apply for the position of Features Editor for the Medium for Volume 52. I am currently a third year at UTM majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, and minoring in Professional Writing and Communication. I am the current Features Editor, and would look to renew my post for the next year.
My interest in being a section editor for the Medium stems from my passion to guide student writers and give them new opportunities, as well as my desire to further promote the Medium. My interest in the Features section comes from my love of doing interviews and covering events.
As the current Features editor, I believe I have provided ample evidence of my ability and passion for the role. During my tenure I have consistently fulfilled the duties of a Features editor by
• Coming up with unique pitches each week,
• Onboarding new associates,
• Communicating with team members in a timely manner and
• Editing all submitted articles.
I have also gone beyond the required duties of a Features editor by implementing a weekly writing workshop for students and initiating a weekly newsletter to improve the reach of the Medium. I believe my actions showcase my ability and drive to work for the Medium.
I have published 12+ articles in the Medium, mainly specializing in interviews and covering events. This specialization will help me guide Features writers, as the main speciality of the Features section is interviews and events.
I also have experience with writing outside of the Medium. I have worked as an editor for Volume 11 of the Compass, and published articles in the eleventh and twelfth volume of the Compass as well. I have also published an article in the ISUP journal, and am in the process of publishing a literature review. These varied writing experiences will help me better guide and mentor the Medium’s writers.
As Features Editor for Volume 52, I would like to continue my work guiding writers with my writing workshops and help raise the popularity of the Medium. I will work to improve upon the newsletter system I started, making sure it reaches more people. I would also like to develop a mobile app for the Medium, to make it easier for readers to access.
Thank you for taking the time to look at my application. I hope you will look upon my candidacy favorably.
Gisele Tang
I am excited to apply for the Features Editor position at The Medium. As a passionate writer and aspiring journalist, I am committed to uplift the campus community with joy and inspiration through the power of words.
As an Associate Features Editor at The Medium, I have sharpened my writing and editorial skills through crafting a variety of writings, ranging from esports to healthcare and linguistics. Moreover, my experience in facilitating interviews have enhanced my communication and research abilities, which has also deepened my appreciation for diverse perspectives and voices, as well as the importance of accuracy in journalism.
Beyond my editorial experience, my studies in English and Philosophy have enhanced my critical thinking and writing professionalism, reinforcing my belief in the power of words to uplift and connect communities. Additionally, my work with Women of Motorsports Canada have enhanced my adaptability, content strategy skills and project planning experience; particularly in managing posting schedules and planning of content prompts and topics.
As Features Editor, I aim to escalate the section’s impact by incorporating engaging, insightful and diverse content that resonates with students. I will leverage the section’s flexibility of content to attract a wider range of contributors and empower writers to express their unique perspectives authentically. By fostering a space for valuable narratives, I hope to make the Features section a genuine reflection of our vibrant campus.
I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to The Medium in this role. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Yusuf Larizza-Ali
My name is Yusuf Larizza-Ali, and I am completing my degree in English & Cinema Studies at
the University of Toronto Mississauga. I discovered The Medium during Fall 2022, my first in-
person semester. My interest in writing attracted me to the community and I successfully became
a staff writer for Volumes 49, 50 & 51 respectively. In this time, I have published 34 articles, 17
of which were based on original ideas I pitched. However, I am running for Arts and
Entertainment editor because this section speaks to my passion and interests the most. My areas
of study have increased my appreciation for the arts and given me a deeper understanding of the
importance of arts and literacy for a general audience. My arts articles have covered various
topics and forms such as cinema discussions, interview features, music and reviews.
Outside of The Medium, I serve as Head Editor of Non-Fiction for the UTM English and Drama
Student Society magazine Folia Literary. This role has strengthened both my editing and writing
skills as I collaborate with the team to select and refine pieces for publication.
My experiences at both Folia Literary and The Medium have helped me learn and enjoy the
various forms articles can take and how to best suit them for themed issues. If I am elected, I
would like to add to our tradition of themed issues by helping design pitches to fit each one. I
have enjoyed the process of generating pitch ideas to fuel my creativity and would be
enthusiastic about continuing to do so for the betterment of our issues. My adaptability drives my
aspiration to become the A & E editor, and I am confident that if I’m elected, I can shape arts
topics to best fit each issue.
Sports & Health Editor
Tyler Medeiros
I am interested in the position of Sports Editor at The Medium because of my passion for delivering sports news to the UTM community. I am excited to lead the sports section and inform the student body on sports topics within the school and beyond.
I am qualified for this position because of my experience as a Staff Writer for The Medium. Through my experience, I have demonstrated my ability to collaborate with section editors on drafts and revisions, as well as my attentiveness in meeting deadlines. My work will be published in multiple journals and magazines at UTM, enhancing my value as a candidate. These pieces include ICCIT’s Vision Journal, PWC’s Compass Journal, and The Medium’s Magazine. I am qualified to become the Sports Editor specifically due to my extensive knowledge and understanding of sports culture. I grew up playing a variety of sports as a kid. I learned the importance of communication and respect through my role as a player on several teams.
With the highly anticipated FIFA World Cup coming to Canada in 2026, my plan as Sports Editor is to release an article each week highlighting the biggest sporting event in the world. Each article will be dedicated to a nation that has qualified or is in the process of qualifying for the tournament. The articles will provide a brief history of the country’s soccer culture, their success or failures in major tournaments, and their hopes for the 2026 World Cup. UTM students interested in writing for this column will be able to select any country they would like that has not previously been reported on. My role will be to provide student volunteers with information and resources necessary to write these articles in a journalistic style. I am more than willing to write these articles should volunteers not be available
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to discussing my additional plans in further detail.
Joseph Falzata
Thank you both for a wonderful first year as part of The Medium’s Editorial Board. It was a pleasure working alongside yourselves and the other editors and I hope to be part of the team for Volume 52.
I had one goal for the Sports & Health section this year: make it a campus newspaper, just as it’s supposed to be. I’m glad to say that with your help, I accomplished this goal. We filled pages with stories about tri-campus sports teams and campus athletics opportunities, and also provided ample space for the “Health” side by showcasing the problems plaguing students and giving them resources to maintain their physical and mental health. I plan to continue this next year, and expand the section to include intramurals and even more campus health resources to make the section even more accessible for new writers.
Growing our readership is something I deeply care about, and as such, I want to work alongside our Volume 52 team to boost engagement among students. Connecting with other departments to spread our newsletter is the first step, and hopefully as the year goes on we’ll find new ways to get more people reading and writing.
Finally, I want to continue making the Sports & Health section the most free and fun section to write for at The Medium. Whether it’s athletes overselling their own accomplishments, adding a semi-ridiculous quote, or characterizing the game like it’s the World Cup final, I want to continue fostering this unique community within the section. While I struggled to even convince one athlete to write at the beginning of the year, by the end of the year I had teams reaching out to me to write for the paper. It’s an amazing way to mix academics and athletics, and I know that when a team huddles around the paper and laughs at their captain’s (possibly) made-up quote from that week’s writer, the Sports & Health section is doing exactly what it’s supposed to do.
Again, thank you for the amazing year. I hope to work with you again next Volume.
Bilaal Mohamed
My name is Bilaal Mohamed, and I’m running for the Sports & Health Editor position. I’ve been writing for The Medium for almost four years now. One of the first pieces I’ve written was a satirical article detailing the grand opening of the disgusting and beloved Tim Hortons after lockdown restrictions back in 2021. I submitted that article thinking that only a few people would care to read it. But I was wrong. The response was overwhelmingly positive, friends would share with others telling them how funny it was and to this day strangers would come up to me asking if I wrote that article. I felt so vindicated to keep on writing and throughout the years I’ve contributed articles to the opinion, art and sports sections. Writing for the medium helped me find my passion in writing and student journalism, and even led me to pick up a minor in Professional Writing and Communicating.
Contributing to The Medium for a number of years has led to making close connections with people in the editorial staff. Through conversations with them, I have a good grasp of the workload of an editor and editorial processes. I was recruited for the Associate Sports Editor in the 2023-2024 year, and have been working closely with current Sports & Health editor Omar Khan. I’ve been mentored on the specific work demands of the position, which helped me feel confident that I can adapt to The Medium’s work environment.
As of recently I’ve been focusing my writing on sports articles. I have a deep appreciation for sports, specifically soccer, and stories revolving around diversity for sports. I want to shine the spotlight on people of color and LGBTQ2S+ who have broken through the barriers in sports and in health research too.
A have a few ideas that I think would bring more readers to the newspaper. First, I’d like to author a bi-weekly column about me watching a sport I’m not familiar with. It can range from mainstream sports such as F1 to an obscure sport like mud wrestling. With this column I’d include entertaining commentary of what I found interesting about the sport, what I did not like and if I were to watch it again. Another idea I have is to have a monthly athlete profile, where I would interview with a student athlete, or a UTM sports team, let them speak about their journey and highlight their success. One last idea I have is to have frequent collaborations with the RAWC for the health section. Publish articles that include interviews with RAWC staff on how students can take care of their physical and mental wellbeing, how to use RAWC facilities and fitness journeys of gym-goers that might inspire students to work on their health.
With my passion for sports, my ability to write and edit quality articles, and my connections with the editorial staff, I believe that I am the most suitable candidate for the Sports & Health Editor position. Without the connections I made with editors and readers, both who read and encouraged my work for The Medium, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would love to give back to this lovely organization by helping it grow and help others find their path in student journalism. Thank you for reading my statement.
Hoor Atique
To whom this may concern my name is Hoor Atique and I am excited to run for the position of
Sports and Health Editor because of my deep passion for athletics, fitness, and effective
communication. As a student athlete, I understand the impact of sports on physical and mental
well-being. I have firsthand experience with the challenges and triumphs that come with
balancing academics and athletics, and I want to use my platform to highlight the diverse stories
within our student body.
My experience in sports and health-related roles makes me well-suited for this position. I have
worked in various sports departments at our school, currently serve as a fitness facilitator, and
play soccer outside of school. Additionally, I am a member of the women’s-only cricket team,
further strengthening my connection to the athletic community. These experiences have given
me insight into the importance of fitness, inclusivity in sports, and the need for accessible health
resources on campus.
Beyond my athletic background, my writing skills make me a strong candidate for this editorial
role. My academic program includes multiple writing-intensive courses, sharpening my ability to
analyze, research, and communicate ideas effectively. Additionally, I have been an English tutor
for the past four years, helping students develop their writing skills and ensuring clarity in their
work.
If elected, I plan to use my position to bring more visibility to student athletes, fitness
opportunities, and health-related topics. I want to create engaging content that educates,
inspires, and fosters a culture of wellness on campus. Whether through interviews, opinion
pieces, or investigative articles, I am committed to making sports and health journalism both
informative and accessible to all students.
I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to this role and make a meaningful impact.
Photos Editor
Hello everyone! I am Melody Zhou, and I am currently in my third year, specializing in Art History and minoring in Visual Culture Studies. It is a great honor to run for photos editor next year.
As a photographer, I am always in love with capturing the special moments in daily life, people, animals and streets. I carry my digital camera all the time just trying to shoot the random moments in life. Except for digital cameras, I can also use film cameras and DSLR cameras. I like visiting different places, and getting to know different people and cultures. And I have always been in love with exploring contemporary Asian art and cultures.
This year, the current photos editor Sara introduced me to The Medium. So I started volunteering at The Medium by contributing illustrations. This experience got me interested in running for photos editor next year. I believe in my photography proficiency, because over the past three years, I have been shooting portraits for some of my friends, also it was the time that I found my biggest passion is photography, here is the link to my portfolio. https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/18D1HmOVPJ7f8XM0mRuuQ1TNLoowSmCdmsv3Yn yh00rg/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you for considering my application, if given the chance, I’ll bring fresh, engaging visuals to The Medium, keeping it vibrant and appealing to more students. I will continue to make The Medium look visually appealing while engaging with the UTM student community!
If I become the next year’s photos editor, my plan is:
– Trying my best to attend most of the events that need photos instead of finding free photos online.
– Keeping up with the current photography trends to make the newspaper’s visuals appealing and relevant, so more students are drawn to it.
– Using my network to promote The Medium engage more students to contribute to the weekly issues!
