Katrina goes to an alternative school in downtown Toronto, and when she’s not snapping pictures for her photography class, she’s busy volunteering at Fashion Week or Nuit Blanche, and overhauling the offices at Leave Out Violence, a grassroots youth organization. She loved volunteering there, because she got to help kids from the community where she grew up. Read on to hear about her rooftop birthday last year, why she can’t stop listening to Foster the People, and what makes her school unique.

What was the school project you liked the most this year?

My number one favourite project this year was an experiment for Families Studies. It was called “Free Hugs.” As a class we went to Nathan Phillips Square with posters and gave out free hugs to the public. It truly blew my mind, the reactions we got.

What music are you currently really into?

I am currently listening to a mixture of genres. My best friend recently downloaded a bunch of songs on my iPod and I cannot get enough of Foster the People and John Mayer.

Right now, everyone in the locker room is talking about what?

I go to an alternative school, so we don’t have locker rooms. Most of the socializing happens outside the school, and it’s mostly about music, Twitter, and crazy shenanigans that happened the previous weekend.

How did you celebrate your last birthday?

This year was my 19th birthday! I went to my friend’s rooftop with a bunch of friends for cake and music, followed by a delicious dinner with my family. In the evening I went to the bar/club called “The Barn” on college with my best friend. It was definitely a birthday I will remember forever!

What makes your school unique?

As I previously said, I go to an alternative school, but besides that, the area, which is Bathurst & Bloor, brings such a different vibe than my old school. As well, it is very multicultural, which I absolutely love. And there’s never drama, because we are all there just for school and to be around good people.

What extracurricular are you involved with this year?

Due to the fact we are only at school until 1:15pm every day, it is really hard to be active. But we do stuff like ski trips, and basketball after school is a huge thing at my school. We recently got a student council, so I am the fundraiser girl, who hosts the bake sales and so forth to raise money for various charities we chose as a school.

If you were in charge of planning the next field trip for your school, where would you go?

Tough question. A lot of the students at my school have not had the opportunity to go to the great attractions Toronto has to offer. With that being said, for sure a museum or an art gallery.

Who is someone you look up to?

I know this is a pretty standard answer, but my mother. She is a single mom and I have to say she raised me with such values and morals I will hold onto for the rest of my life. She always pushed me to follow my dreams, if it was moving to India to build schools, or owning my own retail store. My mom is my biggest fan, love you Mommy.

What is your favourite way to spend the weekend?

This year, nothing too exciting as a lot of my good friends are out of town for University. I usually paint or edit my photos, sometimes visit my little cousin in Scarborough. Spending time with family is very crucial to me.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This decision constantly changes for me. As I get older and gain more experience in different fields I can never make up my mind. As of now I want to do PR either in the fashion or music industry. I just want to be happy and healthy, to be honest.

If you could travel in time, what decade would you like to check out? Why?

For sure the 70’s, not only were people way more down to earth but Woodstock was around that time and if I got to experience that I truly believe my perspective on life would be a lot different. As well the way people lived back then was way less stressful and just about living life.