2022 Grade 8 Awards of Excellence

On the evening of May 19th, 22 Grade 8 students with Lakehead Public Schools were awarded the Grade 8 Award of Excellence at a banquet-style event hosted by the Board. One Grade 8 student from each school received the honour of accepting the award in front of their parents, guardians, Grade 8 teachers, and school administrators.

The evening was led by Lakehead District School Board Student Trustee Mehar Mago and welcomed several dignitaries to the podium, including Acting Mayor Rebecca Johnson, Chair of Lakehead District School Board Ellen Chambers, Chair of Lakehead Public Schools Foundation Jordan Lester, and Director of Education Ian MacRae. Principal of Ecole Gron Morgan Public School Erin Aylward and teacher and First Vice President of Lakehead Elementary Teachers of Ontario Dave Paddington had the honour of presenting the awards.

Sofia Martins, winner of the Grade 8 Award of Excellence for Valley Central Public School, said she has had her eye on this award since Grade 5 and attributes this achievement to being authentic and dedicated. “I think being myself really helped. I always tried to achieve higher standards,” said Sofia. The young award winner also expressed her ambitions for her upcoming secondary school career saying she plans to participate in multiple sports teams at Westgate CVI including hockey and volleyball.

The Grade 8 Award of Excellence recognizes individuals who have achieved high standards of academic excellence as well as demonstrated leadership within the school and community.  Through their daily actions within their school and community, the students truly personify the Lakehead Public Schools values of: Inclusion, Respect, Integrity, Empathy, and Responsibility.

Chair of Lakehead District School Board Ellen Chambers addressed the student winners in a keynote speech congratulating them on their success and acknowledged that their accomplishments will follow them into secondary school and beyond. “I commend each and every one of you for this very special and well-deserved achievement and wish you continued success in your next adventure,” said Chambers.

The winners of the 2022 Grade 8 Award of Excellence are:

Connor Williamson – Algonquin Avenue

Ashton Parr – Armstrong

Rachael Mann – C.D. Howe

Julian Tonkens – Claude E. Garton

Elena Weber – Crestview

Ramneek Hayer – Ecole Elsie MacGill

Taylor Smallwood – Ecole Gron Morgan

Halle Storey – Five Mile

Avery Sproule – Gorham & Ware

Emily Kozak – Kakabeka Falls

Yeju Cho – Kingsway Park

Brayden Sylvestre – Lakehead Virtual Elementary

Jax Baxter – McKellar Park Central

Emily Harris – Nor’wester View

Marley Baker – Ogden

Marley Martell – St. James

Zoey Bell-Napash – Sherbrooke

Sofia Martins – Valley Central

Brady Fontaine – Vance Chapman

Matthew Smelow – Westmount

Izzy Silvaggio – Whitefish Valley

Carter Pilot – Woodcrest

The Grade 8 Awards of Excellence are presented by the Lakehead Public Schools Foundation in partnership with Lakehead Elementary Teachers of Ontario, Ontario Principals’ Council, and Lakehead Public Schools.