News release

Students Honoured for Making Positive Difference in Schools, Communities

Premier's Office

NOTE: A list of award recipients follows this release.

A Grade 12 student who established a school committee to celebrate multi-culturalism, a Grade 4 student who organized a campaign to help students go to school in Africa, and a Grade 9 student who bicycled across the country to raise awareness for Amnesty International are among the winners of Nova Scotia's second annual Premier's Power of Positive Change Awards.

Premier Darrell Dexter and Education Minister Marilyn More honoured 10 Nova Scotia students, from Grade 4 to Grade 12, at a ceremony at Province House today, June 3.

"It is incredible that so many young people have the heart and desire to help people in their schools, communities, and other parts of the world," said Premier Dexter "All of this year's nominees have very impressive stories, and I encourage all students to keep up the good work, making life better for families across the province and people all over the globe."

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.

The recipients for the 2010 awards were selected from about 80 nominations. The recipients received a certificate of recognition and a $2,000 bursary toward post-secondary education or training.

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize students for being true leaders in their schools," said Ms. More. "This year's winners have shown that they care about the people around them, their school and the broader community. I wish them every success as they continue with their work and studies."

The Premier's Power of Positive Change Award was launched in 2009 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.

2010 Premier's Power of Positive Change Award Recipients:

  • Ira Archibald-Faloon, Grade 8 (Oxford Junior High School): Ira has taken many leadership roles at Oxford School. He has been instrumental in the Peace Jams initiative, where young people discuss issues ranging from violence, racism and bullying, to problem-solving and conflict resolution. He attended the international Peace Jam Conference in Boston, and started a group of Safe School Student Ambassadors at Oxford School.

  • Mallory Borden, Grade 11 (Chedabucto Education Centre-Guysborough Academy): Mallory is the co-chair of the African Nova Scotian Youth Group at Chedabucto Place in Guysborough. She is also the vice-chair of the teen health centre committee. Mallory is involved with the Gay Straight Alliance Group and several other school committees.

  • Jenna Cormier, Grade 12 (École NDA): A model of community leadership, Jenna has been a first-class defender of the rights, culture, and language of her community peers. She is the vice-president of the Canadian Youth Federation (Fédération Jeunesse Canadienne Française), and a member of the board of directors of both the Co-op Store of Chéticamp and of the Caisse Populaire Acadienne.

  • Cassandra DeWolfe, Grade 6 (Lakefront Consolidated School): Cassandra was instrumental in raising money for earthquake survivors in Haiti. She organized fund-raising events in her rural community. Cassandra educated and mobilized her community school of 32 students.

  • Breanna Fitzgerald, Grade 11 (Breton Education Centre): Breanna co-founded the Gay Straight Alliance at Breton Education Centre when she was in Grade 9. She was also helped establish a school Rainbow Room, a safe place for youth to learn about and discuss sexual orientation issues.

  • Spencer MacKay, Grade 7 (Park West School): Spencer has had to overcome many health challenges, but has used these experiences to educate others and flourish as a person. He has volunteered with many organizations that help children with special needs, such as the Nova Scotia Abilities Foundation and the IWK Telethon.

  • Carsten MacLean, Grade 11 (Bridgetown Regional High School): Carsten was instrumental in organizing the first Bridgetown Regional High School Conference on Climate Change. He writes a regular column for the local newspaper and the town website. Carsten has organized events promoting Earth Hour and Earth Day.

  • Claire Mercer, Grade 4 (Tantallon Elementary): This fall Claire organized the Red Shoe Lace Campaign to help children go to school in Africa. She prepared packages for her school and spoke about her program. In Grade 3, Claire was one of the Tantallon students who donated her hair to Locks of Love, in support of a fellow student who had been diagnosed with cancer.

  • Tucker Mertens, Grade 9 (New Germany Rural High School): Tucker bicycled across the country to raise funds and awareness for Amnesty International. He has been active in his local 4H club and church group. He is part of a Social Justice group at his school, organizing a diversity day. Tucker started his own initiative called 1000 Paper Cranes – 1 Prayer for Justice, a fundraiser to raise awareness of injustice in the world.

  • Nam Ong, Grade 12 (Citadel High School): Since moving to Halifax from Vietnam three years ago, Nam has overcome many adversities to become a leader in her school. She established a school committee that celebrates multi-culturalism and fosters inclusion and integration among the school's newcomer students. Nam started a thriving committee called Cross-Cultural Connections (CCC). The committee works with other school initiatives, with the hope of establishing a truly inclusive school.

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