Inaugural Power of Change Awards Presented by Premier

NOTE: A list of award recipients follows this release.

A boy who filled a 13-metre container with school supplies for an impoverished African country, a girl who made a courageous and symbolic stand against bullying and a teenager who devised a plan to connect student volunteers with charities eager for help are among the winners of Nova Scotia's first Power of Positive Change Awards.

Ten Nova Scotia students, who range in age from nine to 18, were honoured by Premier Rodney MacDonald and Education Minister Judy Streatch at a ceremony at Province House today, June 16.

"Our youth are our greatest asset, our most powerful vehicle for positive change in a world that needs their idealism, their energy and their sense of purpose," said Premier MacDonald. "It is an honour to recognize their incredible achievements with these awards."

The Premier's Power of Positive Change Awards recognizes public school students who demonstrate leadership organizing a school or community activity or show exemplary behaviour promoting positive attitudes.

Recipients receive a certificate of recognition from the premier and a $2,000 bursary toward post-secondary education or training.

The recipients for the 2009 awards were selected from almost 100 nominations.

"We received many excellent and worthy nominations from students all across Nova Scotia," said Ms. Streatch. "I am so impressed by the many young people who devote their time, energy and passion to making a real difference in their schools and in the wider community, not only here at home but around the world."

The Premier's Power of Positive Change Award was launched by the premier last September in recognition of two Nova Scotia high school students, Travis Price and David Sheppard, who caught the public's attention with a pink t-shirt crusade in support of a bullied student.

The 2009 Premier's Power of Positive Change Award recipients:

• Megan Beaudoin, Dartmouth, Grade 11, Prince Andrew High School Megan, after volunteering many hours with Independent Living Nova Scotia, decided to think big and find a way to get her peers involved in their community. She applied for, and received, a grant from Youthscape Halifax Regional Municipality to develop a program called iUnique. The youth outreach program promotes the importance of diversity in the community and gets youth to engage with people who suffer with mental and physical disabilities to build healthy and positive relationships.

• Chandler Dunnington, Middle Sackville, Grade 7 Sackville Heights Junior High As well as being a young entrepreneur and a talented musician, Chandler works hard to fundraise and bring awareness to organizations such as Adopt-a-Library Program and Kids Help Phone, where he serves as a student ambassador. He is the owner and operator of the online magazine Kidz Talk, which gives kids and adults a forum to express themselves through published writing. He promotes literacy among youth and encourages positive contributions.

• Logan MacGillivray, Bedford, Grade 6, Basinview Drive Community School Logan developed the Listen to the Children initiative in Sierra Leone, which filled a 13-metre container with school and building supplies, and sports and games items. The container was shipped to Sierra Leone as part of the Centre for Development and Peace Education's Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Schools Project.

• Keith Matheson, Baddeck, Grade 11, Baddeck Academy Keith inspires many by overcoming adversities in his life, living independently, working part time, volunteering and maintaining a positive attitude. Keith helps run the breakfast program and volunteers for other classroom and school events. He is active in Junior Achievers and has been training to run the annual Cabot Trail Relay.

• Cassidy McCarthy, Shad Bay, Grade 4, Atlantic Memorial-Terrance Bay School After being diagnosed with epilepsy, Cassidy began her quest to bring awareness to neurological disabilities. She researched her disorder and decided she wanted to pass that knowledge on to others. She began with classroom presentations to address kids' fears about seizures and then initiated a school-wide Purple Day. There is now a website dedicated to her campaign, www.purpleday.org, and the initiative has gone international. She was recently invited to New York City for the launch of Purple Day in the United States.

• Marion Miller, Antigonish,, Grade 12, Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School Marion has worked to remain strong and became a youth role model and strong community leader after the loss of a family member. She has advocated for issues such as family values, disabilities, race, culture, ethnicity and sexual orientation. Marion organized and participated in the first Gay Pride Parade in the Town of Antigonish to promote awareness and acceptance. She has also participated in many women's rights events, such as the inaugural Antigonish International Women's Day.

• Rebecca Moore, Halifax, Grade 11, Flexible Learning and Education Centres Rebecca is an outstanding leader for youth in her community and has overcome many personal barriers in her life. She lives independently and returned to school to complete her high school diploma. She writes for various newsletters, and broadcasts on radio to highlight youth issues. She advocates for crime reduction and prevention for both African Canadian and Aboriginal youth. She is also the president of Provincial Urban Aboriginal Youth Network.

• Kelsie Mosher, Lunenburg, Grade 8, Centre Consolidated School After dealing with a difficult period from being bullied, Kelsie took charge of the situation and brought awareness to the dangers and effects of bullying. She approached her Home and School Association for funding to organize Pink Day at her school, and inspired other schools in her community to do the same. She is working closely with elementary students and has pledged to put an end to bullying.

• Adam Stacey, Stellarton, Grade 12, Northumberland Regional High School Adam developed Night Hawks Connect, a program that matches volunteer youth from Northumberland Regional High School with non-profit, charitable organizations. He plays an outstanding leadership role in his school through his work with many projects and is the youth representative on the board of directors for the United Way of Pictou County.

• Karley Titus, Digby, Grade 12, Digby Regional High School Karley has overcome challenges in her live, such as the death of a family member, to become a leader in her school and community. Kind and compassionate, she is a Can-Skate volunteer, teaches dance, and volunteers at the local elementary school, helping students who are struggling academically. She serves as the School Advisory Council's student representative and contributes to many school events, such as student government, where she was unanimously voted prime minister. She has been a leader, promoting healthy relationships and boundaries, as well as online safety, in her school and community by providing information sessions for students and parents.