New Lowell students recognized for community involvement
Two New Lowell students were among those who received the Friends of Youth award from the Collingwood Optimist Club on Jan. 18.
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.
Ella Hayward
Ella Hayward is a very outgoing, well-rounded, optimistic, and helpful Grade 8 student at New Lowell Central Public School. She is involved in numerous school activities such as Book Club, Yearbook, Robotics, Chess and more. She tries out for all of the sports teams and loves participating in track and field. Last year, Hayward won top Grade 7 female athlete at the West Area Track and Field Meet. In the past she has been a committed kindergarten lunch and bus helper. For the last two years Hayward has served on the school’s student council as Secretary/Treasurer.
She is also an active participant in her community and regularly volunteers for the Clearview Public library by helping with children’s programming, the farmers’ market and shelving books. She used to figure skate in Creemore and enjoyed arriving before class to help the beginner skaters. Ella also used to spend her Tuesday evenings with the local Brownie unit, initially as a Brownie, and later as a volunteer. Discovering a new passion, Hayward is a member of a local robotics team called Cybergirls. She gives presentations to possible sponsors. which resulted in bringing in over $2,000 for the team. She also helps code, design, build, and drive the team’s robot. Ella understands the importance of meeting new people and trying new things which is why she is looking forward to the challenge of secondary school, a whole new world to explore.
Sean McMahon
Sean McMahon is currently in Grade 7 at New Lowell Central Public School. Viewed as a leader among staff and students, he was selected to represent his school at the Ontario Educational Leadership Camp (OELC), in September of 2015.
McMahon is a strong academic student, with an exceptional understanding of mathematical and scientific concepts. He regularly earns the Principal’s Academic Award with each term’s progress reports, and is often called upon to assist other students with class work.
McMahon volunteers as an office helper, assisting with simple administrative duties and the morning announcements. He has also been involved with the PALS program, providing games and activities for the primary grades during outdoor break times.
Placing first overall for Grade 7 boys at this year’s cross country’s qualifying area and county races, McMahon has been a strong competitor for New Lowell Public School’s athletics. The past two years he has been awarded as top male athlete in his grade at the annual Track and Field Area Meet, qualifying in almost all categories and placing in the top two for most.
McMahon has been deemed a leader both on and off the field. He is a talented athlete who consistently displays excellent sportsmanship. Sean has been selected to represent his hockey team three times at the Georgian Bay All Star Game, twice as a goalie, once as a defenceman. This past summer he lead the Stayner Hitmen lacrosse team to its first ever provincial championship. McMahon also competes with an elite level lacrosse club that is ranked third over all of North America. He hopes to go on to an NCAA lacrosse scholarship for his post-secondary education.
McMahon eagerly gets involved in many charitable sporting events within the community, offering any assistance he can to the cause. He volunteers at the Wasaga Beach Veterinary Clinic Cat Rescue, tending to the cats on a weekly basis. He loves animals and hopes to become a veterinarian one day.
