McKenna Silvestro is a 22-year-old who was raised in the small but beautiful Tecumseh, Ontario. She is a recent graduate of the University of Windsor, graduating with Honours in Psychology with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. In moving forward with her education, she obtained the opportunity to become a teacher candidate at the University for Primary/Junior education. She has always had a passion for teaching and public education, which is emphasized through her work with the Bystander Initiative, a student-led program focusing on the prevention and intervention surrounding sexual violence on campuses. Another project she has had the pleasure of being involved with is Teach Tanzania, a global outreach project with the Education department at the University of Windsor. She had the honour of not only visiting schools and providing on-site resources but being a part of the student group that implemented a three-day Girls Empowerment and Leadership Program for local high school girls in the surrounding areas. She continues to support the initiative by assisting the team in fundraising, planning, and advocacy. If given the opportunity to be your Miss Lasalle 2024, McKenna would like to use the platform to advocate for the local organization Welcome Centre Shelter. The shelter provides emergency or transitional housing for women and families in need. McKenna has personally been an on-and-off volunteer of the Shelter since COVID and has witnessed the incredible positive change this organization has played in people’s lives. Free of judgment but rich with dignity, McKenna would love to continue to see what she can do to support the Shelter.

In her short 22 years of life, McKenna has been faced with barriers. However, with the help and support of others, and the willingness to not give up, she continues to strive to get out of her comfort zone, experience new things, and work towards greater goals.