When Amelie Fleck ’25 graduated from St. Michaels University School last June, she left as Head of Winslow House, a multi-sport athlete, and a role model in the school and boarding communities. Just a few months later, she is already making her mark nationally as one of 40 bilingual Canadian students selected for the prestigious House of Commons Page Program in Ottawa. The program garners more than 800 applicants each year.
Amelie, now in her first year of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Ottawa, works 15 hours a week in the House of Commons while pursuing her studies. The experience gives her a front-row seat to Canada’s democracy.
“I was drawn to the Page Program because it combines my interests in service and leadership with an opportunity to learn more about how the Canadian parliamentary system works,” said Amelie, who began her one-year term in August 2025. “One of the most interesting things has been seeing the behind-the-scenes side of Parliament — how debates and votes are organized and how many people it takes to keep our democracy functioning.”
From SMUS to the House of Commons
The Page Program calls for students who thrive under pressure and excel at communication, time management, and teamwork — skills Amelie honed at SMUS.
“SMUS gave me so many incredible opportunities that I carry lessons from every day,” she reflected. “The support and dedication of SMUS teachers, houseparents, and coaches truly helped me believe that I can do anything I set my mind to. As Head of Winslow House, I learned to listen, support, and help others feel they belong — a skill that I found handy during the first weeks of this new life.”
A multi-sport athlete and active member of clubs and councils, Amelie learned to navigate different personalities, resolve conflicts, and balance heavy demands. Competing in field hockey, cross country, and track alongside her academics taught her to stay organized and resilient.
“Most importantly, I discovered that community is built through small, everyday actions, whether that’s checking in on someone or celebrating their successes.”
Arriving at SMUS in 2022 from Geneva, Switzerland, Amelie quickly immersed herself in the community. Fluent in French and English, she embraced boarding life in Winslow House and left three years later feeling prepared for anything.
Finding Her Place in Ottawa
Though she expected the move across the country to be daunting, Amelie was surprised at how quickly she felt at home in Ottawa — a city that also carries family connections, as her father attended the University of Ottawa.
“Even though Winslow was like a family, I found my people and the things that make me happy faster than I thought I would,” she said.
While Amelie has long planned to pursue Biomedical Sciences with hopes of becoming a physiotherapist, she embraced the chance to try something unexpected in the Page Program — a role often filled by political science or law students. For her, it’s proof that saying “yes” to opportunities outside your comfort zone can lead to growth.
“It’s okay not to have it all figured out right away,” she said. “Lean into opportunities that excite you, even if they feel outside your comfort zone, because that’s where you grow the most. And fitting in doesn’t mean being the same as everyone else — it’s about finding your people and staying true to yourself.”
Amelie’s journey from SMUS boarding to the House of Commons Page Program is a proud reminder of the many paths open to SMUS graduates — and how the lessons learned here continue to shape their futures.
Amelie Fleck Page at House of Commons
Amelie Fleck Page at House of Commons
Amelie Fleck '25 House Of Commons Page
