This year’s Director’s Award recipients may not be collecting their awards in person, but they’re still a big deal, says Director of Education David Hansen.

Six hundred elementary students – from the board’s 49 elementary schools and the HWCDSB Virtual School – are being recognized this month for outstanding achievements in academics, service and Stewardship of Creation.

“It’s great that throughout this whole pandemic we are able to continue this recognition of excellence and it’s really important that we celebrate excellence,” said Hansen in a videotaped message to the award recipients.

The student awards program was established many years ago to recognize excellence at the school level. The first, the “Catholic School Mission/Vision” award, is presented to a student who models the virtues of Catholic education, specifically, working for and promoting a more just, caring and peaceful school community. The next award – for Academic Excellence Award – is given to the student who best excels in the overall core areas. The third award, “Excellent Effort in the Pursuit of Learning,” is presented to a student who demonstrates personal responsibility in the pursuit of learning and strives for continuous improvement, while the “Stewardship of Creation/Environmental Award” acknowledges student efforts in creating a greener and more environmentally sustainable school community.

The last award category recognizes academic proficiency in the subject areas of Arts, Religion & Family Life, Language, Science/Technology, Mathematics, Social Studies/History/Geography, Health & Physical Education, and French as a Second Language.

Twelve students from each school will receive awards.

“What makes them a big deal is that they are recognition from your principal and your teachers that you are making a difference at your school,” said Hansen. “You represent all that is great about your school.”

Congratulations to all the student award recipients:

Catholic School Mission/Vision: Sri Dixon
Excellent Effort in the Pursuit of Learning: Keyla Betancourt
Stewardship of Creation: Dante Angelini-Nelson
Academic Excellence: Lucas Dao
Arts: Sofia Romero-Rojas
French as a Second Language: Isabella Serrano
Health & Physical Education: Malcolm Montrichard III
Language: Angelina Cino
Mathematics: Camilo Arias
Religion & Family Life: Olivia Horvath
Science & Technology: Thomas Horvath
Social Studies/History/Geography: Anderson Rodriguez