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The Halton District School Board recently hosted its annual A Celebration of Student Excellence. One student representative was selected from each elementary and secondary school in the public school system to receive the Student Excellence Award. The honour goes to students w ho demon strate outstanding qualities in more than one of the following areas: academic, vocational, athletic, self-improvement, community work, citizenship and student leadership. Num erous Oakville high school students were honoured at this year' s ceremony. Photos and profiles were supplied to the Oakville Beaver by the Halton District School Board. Halton DistrictSchool BoardStudents of Excellence 41 | T h u rsd a y Ju ly 6, 2 0 1 7 | OAKVILLE BEAVER |w w w .insidehalton.com · Zaid Haj Ali, Grade 12, Abbey Park: Zaid has served over the past two years as an active member of APHS student council. For 20 1 5 - 16 he served as Vice-President and for 20 1 6 - 17 as President. In 2015-16 Zaid also represented Abbey Park as a Student Senator and in 2016-17 as a Student Trustee. Zaid has also been active as a student ath lete at Abbey Park High School in football, soccer and basketball serving as a co-captain in football and captain in soccer during the 2015-16 season. Despite these demanding and high profile commitments, Zaid has always maintained the highest academic standards. · C hrishm a Patel, Grade 10, Garth Webb: Chrishma has embraced student lead ership with her work in both the Student Activities Council and Link Crew. She was the Vice President of Interact last year and continues with the Youth in Action group this year. In addition she was the stage manager of the hrst GWSS musical Back to the 80s and has volunteered her time as a member of the Breakfast Club. It is this dedication to making a difference and her academic excellence that has made her worthy of this distinguished award. · Rebecca St. Jam es, Grade 12, Iroquois Ridge: Rebecca is an extremely insightful, mature, and caring student w ho is passionate about learning and inclusive by nature. She is a very accomplished visual artist and dancer and typically spends 20 hours or more per w eek in the dance studio. Rebecca is an excellent ambassador for the Ridge and she has been involved in Interact, Model UN, Concert & Chamber Choir, Inside Ride, Art Council, and more. Her genuine passion for learning is a rare gift.· · V ictoria W inslow , Grade 12, O akville Trafalgar: Victoria exemplifies all the quali ties of an exceptionally remarkable student. Zaid Haj Ali Abbey Park Chrishma Patel Garth Webb Rebecca St. James Iroquois Ridge Victoria Winslow Oakville Trafalgar She continually achieves high academic standards by showing dedication, initiative, creativity and a genuine love of learning. As co-Executive of RDC student council, Club Connect Executive, Toast Masters Executive, Free the Children Executive, Link Leader, Relay for Life committee leader, and assistant swim coach she leads by example and is a strong role model for her peers. She goes out of her way to make OTHS an enriching, engaging place for everyone. In addition, Victoria is a strong advocate in the Oakville community where she has orga nized Peace W eek at the YMCA in support of Syrian refugees, led a Nepal Day to support earthquake recovery, and organized several food drives for Kerr Street. She serves on the Oakville Provincial Youth Advisory Committee. Despite all of her achievements and suc cesses, Victoria remains incredibly humble, focused, and determined to contribute to the world around her. Matthew Casale T.A. Blakelock · M atthew C asale, G rade 12, T.A. Blakelock: Matthew is a strong student in the French Immersion program. He contributes to the school community through his involve m ent in Tiger Crew, Student council - Prime Minister. He founded the Sewing Club and Eco club and president, Japanese Exchange, International Tea Club. He also played on the Cross Country Track and Field, DECA, School Store, Sears Drama production as a costume designer. Matthew is a great overall student partici pating as a French immersion ambassador, Right to play, and A-team rep. Matthew always makes an effort to speak French outside of the classroom and when making presentations to his younger immer sion peers. Matthew showed leadership as well as devoting m any hours of labour on the Christmas parade float. Lauren Black White Oaks · Lauren Black, Grade 12, W h ite Oaks: Lauren is an academically passionate student w ho is empathetic, sincere, kind, honest and inquisitive. She supports other students and advocates for creating a positive school envi ronm ent via the Athletic Council, Safe Schools, WOSS Uplift, and the WOSS Principal' s Advisory Council. Lauren is helpful, responsible and shows initiative in her relationships with classmates by starting up study groups online and by raising awareness of Student Voice at meetings like Safe Schools. Lauren is a wonderful writer, and goes above and beyond pursuit of original, insight ful and creative analysis in her work. Lauren is athletic and is an executive m em ber of the Ultimate Frisbee Club and has been instrumental in its continued existence. All of her contributions are made with humility, humour and a desire not to be in the spotlight, but to make WOSS better for stu dents. F o r m o r e c o v e r a g e o f lo c a l p u b lic a n d C a t h o lic s t u d e n t e x c e lle n c e , c h e c k b a c k in u p c o m i n g e d i t i o n s o f T h e O a k v ille B e a v e r.