Applicant #8: Alex Vander Vlugt

Alex Vander Vlugt is an 18-year-old from Guelph.

Alex's video application:

Alex online:

+ Twitter
+ Facebook
+ Facebook page

Alex's current situation:

Hi, My name is Alex Vander Vlugt, I'm 18 years old and I have the skill to be the next Young & Free Ontario Spokesperson.

I run my own film studio which has won many film festivals including:

• Two Blended Film Challenges
• 3rd Place in Ontario for Skills Canada

This summer i am the Visual Effects Assistant for a new 24 episode mini series being shot in Guelph which premieres this fall.

I am a Student Trustee representing the voices of thousands of students in Guelph Ontario.

I am the Executive Officer of Communications for the Ontario Student Trustee's Association. In which I have the skills to :

• Run press conferences / media releases
• Internal Communications
• Editor of a magazine
• Update Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Youtube)

Alex's blog post:

School is out for summer. Done. Finished. Over. Graduated! My focus now switches from textbooks and exams to hitting the beach and partying it up. Not a care in the world for the next two months. So why are my friends all stressing out?

I am in a lucky position right now. I just finished high school but I am returning for my 12 + year to represent my city’s public schools as a student trustee. I am spending my summer doing what I love as “Visual Effects Assistant “ for a new 24 episode mini series premiering in the fall.  So while I am out enjoying my summer knowing that I am not leaving the nest quite yet, all my friends are starting to freak out about going off to college and university. The biggest question mark over their heads is: How am I going to pay for this? Even after scholarships and every last cent from the college fund many are still struggling to meet tuition costs that continue to grow. 

40% of graduates at my high school are returning for a victory lap. This number will continue to grow, as more and more students need the extra year to make money for school. My advice? Promote college saving to students when they first enter high school so that they can enjoy the summer before college with out the headache.

Alex