Athlete of the Month

Grade 12 Paris District High School graduate Trudeau Gulati has been named this month’s Athlete of the Month.

A well-rounded athlete, Trudeau enjoys participating in a variety of sports and thrives on learning new skills. He particularly excels in tennis, soccer, badminton, basketball, and cross-country running.

When asked to choose a favourite, Trudeau points to tennis. He values the individual challenge it presents and the way it allows him to channel his energy. “It allows me to harness any frustrations into movements on the court,” he explained.

He draws inspiration from professional players like Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, who he admires for their combination of physical skill and mental resilience. “They possess not only physical capabilities but also mental strength that motivates me to strive for more within my own skill set,” he shared.

Trudeau also appreciates the discipline and strategy involved in tennis. “The challenge is to wake up and strive to improve more than the previous day—comparing myself not to others, but to my past self,” he said.

Regardless of the sport, Trudeau says athletics offer a sense of balance in his life, helping to relieve the pressures of school, work, and everyday responsibilities. He embraces the spirit of competition and credits sports with helping him maintain strong mental health.

This year, Trudeau received the Ed O’Leary Memorial Award, a prestigious honour presented by the Brantford Expositor. The award recognizes top student-athletes in Brant County high schools for their excellence in athletics, academics, and leadership.

“I was shocked because my intention when playing sports or volunteering was never to impress anyone or win an award. When I volunteer, it's not about recognition; I do it because it feels good. I value the support of the PDHS school community and would like to extend my special thanks to the teachers and coaches who made this award possible,” said Trudeau. “I've been supported by teachers, coaches, friends, and family, and that has been the real reward – the connections to the community and the friends I've made along the way. The Ed O'Leary Award motivated me to strive for more in the future as I enter the next phase beyond high school.”

This fall, Trudeau will attend the University of Toronto, Trinity College, to study Social Sciences. He was also accepted into the highly selective Munk One Program, which immerses students in global affairs and public policy challenges. While his current goal is to become a criminal defence attorney, Trudeau said that could change as he explores various opportunities during his university journey.