Northern students recognized by Lieutenant Governor
- Linda Mikolayenko | October 23, 2016
The Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, began and ended her annual northern school tour in La Ronge. Between September 24 and 27, 2016, Her Honour presented six Lieutenant Governor’s Awards of Excellence, as well as a number of Northern Saskatchewan Student Achievement Awards.
“We always get a warm welcome when we come here, so it’s great to be back,” she said in her opening address to the students at Churchill Community High School in La Ronge.
- 2015: Lieutenant Governor tours North to hand out Awards of Excellence
- PHOTO GALLERY of 2015 winners
Before presenting the awards, Schofield encouraged students to participate in Orange Shirt Day on September 30 to remember those who attended residential schools, and to share their thoughts on what the future of Canada will look like through the lens of reconciliation by taking part in a contest, Imagine a Canada. Young people can participate by creating a story, poem, piece of art, short film or essay.
“I envision a Canada where everyone realizes that we are stronger together,” said Schofield. “Friendship is the basis of healthy communities and a very strong country. We can never ever underestimate the power each one of us has to make our country better.”
The Award of Excellence winners are good examples of well-rounded individuals making a difference. To be considered for the award, students must demonstrate proficiency in academic achievement, school attendance, leadership within school and/or community, awareness and pride in northern lifestyles and heritage, future goals, and special talents and interests. This year’s recipients, selected by a committee led by the Regional Director of the Ministry of Education, are:
Grade 7 –
Jocelyn Bird, Churchill Community High School, La Ronge
Grade 8 – Dakota Laurin, Charlebois Community School, Cumberland House
Grade 9 – Joseph Desjarlais, Rossignol High School, Ile-à-la-Crosse
Grade 10 – Jaedon Roberts, Rhoda Hardlotte Memorial School, Stanley Mission
Grade 11 – Ryanne Torrence, Senator Myles Venne School, La Ronge
Grade 12 – Collin Montgrand, La Loche Community School - Dene Building, La
Loche
Jocelyn Bird had an academic average of 92%, and an attendance average of 98%, noted Schofield, adding that she was active in sports and the arts.
She was a member of the basketball, volleyball, track and field, and flag football teams, and the Girls Wellness Group. A member of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, she learned to bead from her grandmother, and plays both piano and guitar. Although she was recognized for her accomplishments and leadership skills, Bird, herself, says that if other students were to look up to her, she would hope it would be for the qualities of “kindness” and “caring”.
The Northern Saskatchewan Student Achievement Awards were created to acknowledge and promote student achievement and academic success. This year, 86 students from 12 schools and the La Ronge Masinahikana – Online Education Centre were recipients.
When Cynthia Khaikka graduated from Churchill Community High School in June, she received the Graduate of the Year award, so she was surprised to receive a Northern Saskatchewan Student Achievement Award, as well.
Originally from Wollaston Lake, a member of the Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation, Khaikka achieved second place in the Skills Canada cooking competition, and served as the teen representative on the school daycare board.
“In my younger years, I wasn’t a top student,” Khaikka admits, “but in my last year, I really improved.”
She is now enrolled in the Northern Teacher Education Program and wants others to know that they, too, can follow their dreams.