Local youth recognized for community involvement
Local students were presented the Collingwood Optimist Club’s Friends of Youth awards Jan. 20.
Thirty-three students from 16 area schools were recognized for their achievement of outstanding community involvement.
The club recognizes students from Collingwood, Wasaga Beach and Clearview Township who have been involved in their school, church, community club or sports team. The winners are chosen by teachers for showing commitment to community service and leadership ability.
Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School Grade 6 student Jocelyn Young is an active member of her school community and enjoys volunteering her time as a kindergarten helper, office helper, pizza helper, member of the tech team and the spirit squad. Young enjoys school sports and has been a member of the volleyball team, basketball team and is currently a member of the hockey team. Outside of school, she plays hockey in the winter and baseball in the summer. This fall, she helped her father at the automotive display at the GNE on Education Day and competed in the junior ambassador contest, placing second. Young lives on a farm with her family and, during the summer, she sells cookies and produce from the garden with her brother at the Singhampton Farmers’ Market.
This past summer Young learned about lifesaving skills and first aid at swimming lessons. She recently put these lessons into practice. While volunteering in the kindergarten classroom as a lunch helper, one of the students was choking on a grape tomato and Young calmly assessed the situation and alerted the teacher who was then able to perform the Heimlich Manoeuvre. Her quick thinking helped save that student’s life. Young is looking forward to participating in more leadership opportunities in the future and is very honoured to be recognized by the Optimist Club.
Eleven-year-old Libby Millsap, also a Nottawasaga and Creemore Public School student, loves to help the teachers in her free time and lunch time she helps out in the kindergarten room. At most recesses she spends her time in the office completing tasks and helping answer the phone while the secretary is on her break. At school she participates in sports, clubs and the spirit squad. The spirit squad is a group of students and teachers who organize spirit days and schoolwide activities. For example the “Thunder Games” which are teambuilding activities for the whole school. At recess she enjoys spending her time playing with the kindergarteners, leading games and helping them out on the yard. When she’s not at school she spends free time playing on the piano and playing outside. She also enjoys figure skating, at skating Libby loves to stay after her skating and PA. PA is when you assist the beginner skaters. She loves this because she can send her knowledge to them. Libby has lots of friends who she loves to encourage them with joyful thoughts and keeping them happy.
Ayden Green’s smiling face is well known both to his family and friends.
This regular 17-year-old is always quick to contribute where and whenever he is needed. During a few challenging school years; adapting to both a physical and developmental disability and overcoming bullying, Ayden decided to do something about it. At the age of 15 he cycled 2,727 kilometres across the Maritimes into Ontario to raise awareness and funds for United Way.
Continuing to volunteer in his community gives him a voice for the things he is passionate about. He also enjoys photography and videography.
Summers are spent in Bracebridge at a camp living in the outdoors and inspiring kids to become great photographers and filmmakers. Ayden is also an avid technology enthusiast.
Above all, Ayden loves his family and is an active member of his community.
Students from other Clearview Township schools recognized that evening include Alyson Wright and Daniel Davies from Stayner Collegiate Institute, Ella Baker and Kayla Dutka from Clearview Meadows, Evan Marriott and Jocelyn Clement from Byng, May Black and Noah Rahim from New Lowell and Haven Raeburn-Gibson and Sydney Shaw from Nottawa.
