Students Honoured for Making Positive Difference in Schools, Communities

NOTE: The list of award recipients follows this release.

A Grade 12 student promoting social justice, a Grade 4 student who helps raise funds for cancer research, and a Grade 8 student who shares her traditions and values are among this year's winners of Nova Scotia's Power of Positive Change Awards.

Education Minister Ramona Jennex and ministerial assistant for Youth Mat Whynott honoured 10 Nova Scotia students, from Grade 1 to Grade 12, at a ceremony at Province House today, June 6.

"So many young Nova Scotians are having such a positive impact on the world around them, and this year's nominations are all very strong," said Ms. Jennex. "It is always an inspiration and a privilege to have this opportunity to recognize the amazing work our students are doing in their communities."

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

The recipients for the 2012 awards were selected from about 90 nominations. The recipients will receive a certificate of recognition and a $2,000 bursary toward post-secondary education or training.

"These kids show incredible compassion, creativity and leadership in the ways they raise awareness and promote social change," said Mr. Whynott. "Our future is in good hands with young leaders like these, and they deserve the recognition."

Following is a list of recipients of the 2012 Power of Positive Change Award:

• Cayden Denny, Grade 12, Allison Bernard Memorial High School, Eskasoni, Cape Breton Co. Cayden is actively involved with student council, Youth Council, basketball, Europe Travel Group and dance. She helps prepare and deliver meals with Meals on Wheels and participates in the Elder Safety Program by shoveling snow, doing yard work and checking smoke detectors for the elders in the community. She also dedicates significant time to youth work at her local church and the Diocese of Antigonish. When Cayden takes on an activity, she demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and a clear sense of purpose. She is highly regarded both in the community and at school and is a wonderful role model for her peers.

• Nicole Landry, Grade 12, Riverview High School, Coxheath, Cape Breton Regional Municipality. Nicole participates in many activities at the school and in the community. She is a student council representative, photography/layout editor for the yearbook, a member of the school’s Math League and on the school's golf and curling teams. Through work with Junior Achievers, Nicole has provided leadership in fund raising for the Autism Society of Cape Breton collecting substantial donations. Nicole is an outstanding leader who uses her organizational and teamwork skills to make a positive difference.

• Parker Murchison, Grade 4, École Beaubassin, Halifax. In 2010, Parker was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Parker missed much time from school for treatment and was weak after the intense chemotheraphy, yet he came to school whenever he could even if he was only strong enough to stay for part days. He responded to his diagnosis of leukemia with courage, determination, and perseverance. He was the centre of the Terry Fox Run for his school and helped them raise $22,000 for cancer research. He was also school leader for Change Bandits raising $2,000 in coins for the IWK within a few weeks. Parker's positive attitude, leadership qualities and charisma inspire people of all ages.

• Lucy Wallace, Grade 12, Horton High School, Wolfville Lucy, a transgendered teen, has worked diligently to promote social justice within her high school and her community. She leads her school's Gay Straight Alliance and is the race relations, cross cultural understanding and human rights student advisor. She founded the Gay Straight Alliance at her previous school and had the courage to claim her identity as a transgendered teen. Her tireless efforts to promote positive change continue to be an inspiration to the staff and students at Horton High School and the community.

• Hannah Drodge, Grade 12, Hants East Rural High School, East Hants. Hannah has dedicated significant time and effort to school committees such as the Gay Straight Alliance, Youth Health Committee, Youth Who Care and Leaders of Today. Hannah was involved with the Pregnancy Awareness Group which created a Birth Control Pocket Guide. On behalf of the Pregnancy Awareness Group, Hannah independently applied for and received a Community Health Board Wellness grant to reproduce and distribute the pocket guide throughout her school and the wider community. Her contributions will make a lasting impact in her community and beyond.

• Jessica Lake-Crossley, Grade 11, Avon View High School, Windsor. Jessica initiated and funded a Most Promising Athlete Award at a local school and saves money to donate to the IWK Heart Foundation every year in the name of her brother. She is an active member of her school's Youth Health Centre and has helped establish a program called Body and Mind to promote active living for students not involved in organized sports. Jessica is also involved in Because I am a Girl campaign fundraising for the health and education of women and girls in third world countries. Jessica is a mentor to many and leads by example to promote social change within her school and community.

• Oona Johnstone-Laurette – Grade 1, Ashby Elementary School, Sydney. Oona is an environmentally conscious child who has taken the initiative to make those in her local community and beyond aware of the positive and negative effect that we have on the marine ecosystem. Oona has taken particular interest in the critically endangered leatherback sea turtle. Oona created a small organization with her father called Concerned Fathers and Daughters designed to raise awareness of how our litter affects the marine ecosystems and the species that depend on them. Oona is destined to become a very positive advocate for a clean Earth.

• Ashley Cummings, Grade 8, West Richmond Education Centre, Cleveland, Richmond Co. Ashley moved to Nova Scotia from Nunavut in 2010. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to share her traditions and values to students and staff. She is an avid competitor in archery and has joined the 4H movement. Last year, Ashley's water painting of an Inukshuk on top of a hill in the sunset won a national multicultural award. She is a strong advocate of volunteering for social justice and has taken the lead on events such as the Legion Poppy Campaign, Family Meals for a Week, the Christmas Ceilidh for the hospital, Mental and Physical Health Symposium, and Stand Up for Bullying initiatives.

• Benjamin Scott – Grade 12, Drumlin Heights Consolidated School, Glenwood, Yarmouth Co. Benjamin is a natural leader who spends much time volunteering. He is the chairperson of the school’s Youth Health Center Committee, chairperson of the Restorative Justice Program and a trained facilitator in mediation and conflict resolution. Benjamin is involved in the Hypersexualization Program – helping to reduce the impact that over-sexualized images in the media have on young people. He also tutors several elementary and junior high students, works part time at the local nursing home and participates in community fund raising events for the Alzheimer's Society.

• Paige Williams, Grade 12, Auburn Drive High School, Cole Harbour. Paige has a passion for making a difference in the lives of others and, as a result, is involved in a number of community building initiatives. She is a youth mentor for the Community Justice Society, a member of the RCMP youth program called Stetson and Spurs. Paige participates in the Youth of Today group at her school and the YMCA youth exchange group. She has played a significant part in organizing youth conferences both in East Preston (It"s All About Youth) and at Mount Saint Vincent University (What's Next: Chaos or Community). She is an integral member of the Youth of Today - a group that promotes the positive accomplishments and history of African Canadians.