At the Regular Meeting of the Board held on June 15th, Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) recognized students and staff who were provincial, national, and international award recipients during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited many activities, students and staff from the local public education system showcased excellence in a broad range of categories, including athletics, science, mathematics, teaching, and scholarships, among others.
“We are extremely proud of the outstanding accomplishments of our students and staff at the provincial, national, and international levels, and we extend our deepest congratulations,” says BWDSB Chair Jane Thomson. “These examples are a small representation of the many amazing achievements that continue to occur in our schools, which are especially impressive during these times. Thanks are also owed to those who have inspired, encouraged, and supported this wonderful success.”
2019-20 School Year
Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Cross Country Running
– Women Novice 4K (Silver)………Brooklyn Quanz, Saugeen District Senior School (SDSS)
OFSAA Nordic Skiing Senior Girls Cross Country Skiing
– (Bronze)……….. Janna Wardell, Owen Sound District Secondary School
Ontario Community Newspaper Association (OCNA)
– Ontario Jr. Citizen of the Year Award…… Islay Graham, Hepworth Central Public School
Ontario Physical and Health Education Association (OPHEA) Healthy Schools Certification
– Gold…………….. Beavercrest Community School
– Certified……….. Dawnview Public School
2020-21 School Year
Canada-Wide Science Fair – Virtual (Ottawa, ON)
Junior Division
– Bronze ………… Caleb Dawson, Arran-Tara Elementary School
Intermediate Division
– Bronze and Shad Canada Scholarship Award ….. Islay Graham, Owen Sound District Secondary School
Caribou Mathematics Contest / Caribou Cup
Grade 3/4 Level
– 1st Place……………. Nived Menon, Alexandra Community School
Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence
Ontario Certificate of Achievement ……Tyler Boyle, Teacher, Macphail Memorial Elementary School
Ontario National Archery in School Program (NASP) Championship, Virtual Tournament
Virtual Girl’s Middle School Division
– 1st Place ……… Taylor Donaldson, Hillcrest Elementary School
– E 3rd Place …… Alissa Negus, Hillcrest Elementary School
Virtual Team – Elementary School Division
2nd Place ………… Hillcrest Elementary School
Virtual Team – Middle School Division
1st Place …………. Hillcrest Elementary School
Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Video Competition: Grade 4-8
3rd Place ………….. Zuhayr Abbas, Zander Alpaugh, Shrey Desai, Mya Downey, and Emma Redmond, Northport Elementary School
It has also been announced that Avryl Bender of John Diefenbaker Senior School was recently selected from among over 6,000 applicants to receive the McCall MacBain Provincial award from the Loran Scholars Foundation.