Lacey Koughan
Lacey Koughan is an 18-year-old from Charlottetown determined to create change and help others. Through dance, mental health advocacy and online communication, she has made a positive influence on youth, particularly with girls and young women, from across the country.
A dancer since age 4, Koughan began teaching younger students by age 14. After participating in a Colonel Gray High School’s co-op work program, she decided at age 16 to open her own dance school, 24 Dance.
Koughan went on to develop a brand, program and web site called
24STRONG to inspire girls her age and younger through group discussion, yoga, meditation, and mentorship. She includes video interviews of female role models from around the globe who share their career paths with participants. In less than a year,
24STRONG expanded to Toronto where in September 2017 it created #SisterhoodSundays inviting female role models to spend time with participants. She hopes to expand
24STRONG to other Canadian cities and eventually other countries.
In Grade 11, Koughan opted for an independent study semester. As she travelled throughout Europe with her mother she witnessed some of the massive migration of Syrian refugees. She returned to PEI determined to do something about homelessness. She made and distributed among the local homeless Christmas cards and gift bags containing food, hats and mittens and gave a presentation at a local theatre where her audience was asked to make a financial donation to support Syrian newcomer families to PEI.
Koughan was also selected as 1/150 Canadian youth to travel to Ottawa and Montreal for Canada 150 celebrations and workshops, after submitting an essay on poverty and human trafficking in Canada. She continues to teach dance through private bookings and is among youth entrepreneurs who participate in The Hive, an arts-business incubator in Charlottetown. A trained speaker through jack.org, she travels the Maritimes speaking on the importance of mental health to youth.