Student Spotlight: Mary Liu

Leadership, Innovation and Impact Beyond Borders

When Mary Liu noticed that many international students struggled to speak and understand English after moving to Canada, she saw more than a challenge; she saw an opportunity to make a difference.

In the summer of 2023, the now Grade 12 student founded LinguaPeer Education Group Inc., an online platform connecting students from Asia with Canadian peers for friendly, conversational English practice. Since its launch, LinguaPeer has delivered over 800 classes, supporting more than 50 students in building confidence and forming meaningful connections through language.

“From helping each student, I get feedback from the parent that their child has improved their English grade in school, or they just feel more confident speaking in English,” Mary says. “Comments like that are really motivational because I feel like it’s having a real impact on these students and it’s really useful for them.”

Mary’s entrepreneurial drive has quickly earned global recognition. Earlier this year, LinguaPeer was named a Diamond Challenge finalist, placing in the top 68 teams worldwide out of 940 entrants in the international high school entrepreneurship competition.

But perhaps the most inspiring chapter of Mary’s story is how she chose to use her success.

During a visit to her hometown of Qingdao, China, in August, Mary donated profits from her business to purchase 2,500 sets of stationery for more than 2,000 students supported by the Microlight Charity Foundation. According to the organization, Mary is the first donor under the age of 18 to contribute entirely through her own initiative and independently-earned income.

Microlight representative Yang shared, “Her generosity deeply moved us and reflects the success of your school in cultivating students with strong social responsibility.”

The news also resonated deeply within our school community.

“We take great pride in cultivating students who embody compassion, leadership, and a sense of responsibility to make the world greater, better, and more beautiful,” says Joshua Armstrong, Director of Teaching and Learning at Pickering College. “Mary’s act of generosity so clearly reflects these values and reminds us of the positive impact young people can have when given the opportunity to lead with empathy and purpose.”

Mary’s work, from identifying a need, to building a solution, to giving back, is a powerful example of what Pickering College students do: using learning and leadership to make the world greater, better and more beautiful.

As she navigates her final year at Pickering College, Mary plans to pursue a business degree at university and continue to grow LinguaPeer.

“I’m going to continue to welcome more students and tutors so we can reach even more learners in need,” she says. “And hopefully in the future, I can make an even more meaningful impact.”