2015 Student Recognition Awards What the Student Recognition Awards Are All About 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipients
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2015 Student Recognition Awards What the Student Recognition Awards Are All About 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipients The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is pleased to host our 10th District-wide Student Recognition Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in student leadership. One of our goals as a school district is to celebrate the success of our students and staff. To support that objective the District has recognized teachers, administrators, and support staff with the Director’s Citation, Innovation, Mentoring, Ronald K. Lynch Memorial, and Technology Excellence awards. Tonight we proudly and publicly honour our senior student leaders. The students being recognized were chosen by their principals and/ or vice-principals because they demonstrated initiative, supported by the will to succeed, the dedication to finish what they started, and the commitment to achieve their personal best. Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the achievement of these secondary school students. 2015 Excellence in Equity Student Award Recipient What the Student Recognition Awards Are All About 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipients Uyi Erhokpodamwen Thomas Hayes Adult High School Longfields-Davidson Heights Secondary School Ryan Hooper Marwan Saeed A.Y. Jackson Secondary School Merivale High School Makayla Stratham Keira Chadwick Bell High School Nepean High School Hajer Furat Cameron Jette Brookfield High School Norman Johnston Secondary Alternate Program Jennifer Constant Jordan Pernari Cairine Wilson Secondary School Osgoode Township High School Claude Dee Laguerre Skylar Hope Canterbury High School Ottawa Technical Secondary School (OTSS) Azana Hyder Ashly Barrie Colonel By Secondary School Richard Pfaff Secondary Alternate Program Melissa Gannon Memoona Qureshi Continuing Education Rideau High School Cesur Kavaslar Lila Ibrahim Earl of March Secondary School Ridgemont High School Edward Labonte Esther Csurgai Elizabeth Wyn Wood Secondary Alternate Program Sir Guy Carleton Secondary School Kelsey Smith Abdulhaiy Ansari Frederick Banting Secondary Alternate Program Sir Robert Borden High School James Morden Victoria Hawco Glebe Collegiate Institute Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School Lukas Beneteau-Forgues Bethany Mowat Gloucester High School South Carleton High School Rangin Haji-Rahman Oliver Hewish Hillcrest High School West Carleton Secondary School Toby Thomas Alex Hill-Keast John McCrae Secondary School Woodroffe High School Metin Ali Brittainy Jones Lisgar Collegiate Institute Urban Aboriginal Alternate High School Program 2015 Excellence in Equity Student Award Recipient Metin Ali Excellence in Equity Student Award 2015 Student Recognition Awards Message from the Director This evening we celebrate the accomplishments of 32 graduating students.This year’s deserving win- ners are an amazing group of students. They are youth leaders in school councils, athletic councils, and arts councils, and they are being recognized for academic excellence and their involvement in exciting initiatives. Some of these initiatives include involvement with the suicide prevention activi- ties through the Royal Ottawa Hospital, CHEO’s Youth Mental Health campaigns, Ottawa’s Youth Services Bureau, Free The Children, Walk for Water, Me To We, and many more. They have worked to enhance the lives of young people in their neighbourhoods, across the country and around the world. In addition, they have been active in their schools participating in leadership camps and as members of Link Crews. Our students are accomplished authors, musicians, actors, athletes, and fundrais- ers. Thousands of dollars have been raised by their efforts for the Ottawa Food Bank, the Education Foundation of Ottawa, Relay For Life and numerous other charities. These students are leaders, mentors and role models. On behalf of senior staff, I want to thank our student leaders for their contributions to making their schools a better place for students. Jennifer Adams Director of Education Ottawa-Carleton District School Board 2015 Student Recognition Awards Message from the Chair Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. The 32 students we honour this evening all share the collective commitment to leave behind a better place than they found when they arrived. When I look at the array of accomplishments demon- strated by these outstanding students, I am optimistic and motivated by their enthusi- asm to better our communities, our societies and our world. Leadership is more a talent, a confidence, a state of the heart than a set of things to do. The discernible signs of leadership are articulated, in the end in its practice – and oh how these students have practiced! They have served their peers, their neighbours, their country and students around the world. They have championed diversity, inclusiveness, respect and pride. They have been role models for positive change and their legacy will be the building blocks for future efforts by incoming students. On behalf of the trustees of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, I offer my best wishes and thanks for following your dreams. You have made a difference! Your vision will be felt by your school community for many years to come. Thank you, Shirley Seward Acting Chair of the Board 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipient Uyi Erhokpodamwen Adult High School Uyi is a leader among students in the classroom and on assignment. He is known as the go-to person, respected by his peers and teachers. His kind and calm manner make him very approachable. Uyi is a quiet mentor to many in his program. When others become frustrated or disappointed, he is there to offer words of encouragement and provide advice on how to find solutions. Uyi’s work ethic and comprehension skills have resulted in him being offered employment at both of his work placements. His goal is to become a registered nurse specializing in Psychiatry. Uyi’s attitude, leadership skills and desire to succeed are recognized by his teachers and his employer. He is currently employed at the Ottawa Hospital in the Psychiatry Ward. He is destined to succeed not only because of how hard he works but because of his genuine calling to help those who in need. 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipient Ryan Hooper A.Y. Jackson Secondary School Ryan Hooper is a committed, personable, likable, hard-working, trustworthy, young man. These are just a few of the adjectives that students, teachers, and administrators use to describe him. Ryan is extremely well respected by the entire school community. He is dedicated to multiple causes with the goal of making life better for others — here at home and around the world. He is a valued member of Students’ Council and Student Senate. He has been actively involved in Relay for Life and he is a leader in the student drama community. Integrity is one of Ryan’s many positive attributes; he is an excellent role model for others in that he lives a life of strong moral principles and honesty. Ryan is a kid that both young and old look to for advice, support, kindness and direction. Ryan Hooper’s work ethic and adaptability alone will take him anywhere he wants to go. 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipient Makayla Stratham Bell High School A positive outcome is what students, staff and even the greater school community has come to expect when Makayla Statham is involved. Her teachers and administrators at Bell High School describe Makayla as compassionate, supportive, reliable, insightful, and responsive. Add to that, she is a likable kid who does not seek glory for all the good she does. Makayla does it simply because it is the right thing to do! Makayla is an exceptional listener who has applied these gifts in multiple contexts. She is a “leader of leaders” in Link Crew. She has spearheaded the high schools’ efforts relating to Mental Health initiatives and she has a remarkable capacity to engage and encourage her peers. She inspires their trust and leads the way forward. Bell High School is a better school and a better community because of Makayla’s unique ability to bring out the best in others. 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipient Hajer Furat Brookfield High School Hajer has shown exemplary growth as an individual, since beginning her high school studies. She has devoted countless hours to volunteering at a summer camp for underprivileged children and youth. In addition, she has worked as a mentor with the Boys and Girls Club. Hajer has shown equal dedication to her school community, taking a leading role in many special events and groups at the school and district level such as; LINK Crew, Students’ Council and the In Love and in Danger conference. She is an excellent role model for other students as she demonstrates enthusiasm, original thinking and goodwill toward others. She is a very honest, trustworthy and dependable person who is unwaveringly patient and inclusive when taking on a variety of leadership roles. Hajer believes that together much can be accomplished. She leads by listening, collaborating and completing the task at hand. She is a quiet, confident leader. 2015 Student Recognition Award Recipient Jennifer Constant Cairine Wilson Secondary School Jennifer is a wonderful all-round Grade 12 student who has had a great impact on Cairine Wilson Secondary School. Her contributions to school life will be felt long after she graduates. Jenn is as strong academically as she is accomplished in school and community outreach. She is an Honour Roll student who has High Honours in a number of classes. She does this while contributing her time and energy to making her school environment one that supports and encourages student voice. She is also enrolled in the rigorous AP Immersion stream and has gone to the provincials in the French public speaking competition. If that were not enough, Jenn’s resume also includes being a standout performer on the Improv Team and in school plays. Her work in the arts is both memorable and engaging. She is an accomplished young woman who will be missed by students and staff.