Student Recognition Recipients from 2017-18
Kyle Chambers,
Hagersville Secondary School
Karate has taken a special place in Kyle’s life, and his achievements – in both para karate and regular divisions – are too extensive to list. His competitive season as a member of the Canadian National Wado Kai Karate Team this year has been a crowning achievement for the Grade 12 student at Hagersville.
This past winter, Kyle competed at the Canadian National Karate Championships in Halifax, winning a bronze medal. In April, he competed at the Junior International Cup in Las Vegas, earning a gold medal for his Kata floor routine, and a silver medal in Kumite, a type of sparring.
Recently, at the U.S.A. Karate Open, Kyle earned a gold medal for his Shindo routine, and a silver in Kata, just one point behind the American champion.
Despite these achievements, it’s Kyle’s attitude that he’s known for first; his love of the sport and his positivity in the face of adversity is an inspiration. For that, he embodies the spirit of karate, and has made Grand Erie proud.
Aleria McKay,
Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
In her final year as a Grand Erie student, Aleria McKay has made impressive contributions to arts, culture, and community involvement – all with an important message behind them. Earlier this year, she was crowned Miss Teenage Ontario. She is the first Indigenous winner in the competition’s history.
This summer, she will move on to compete for the title of Miss Teenage Canada. Aleria’s commitment to raising awareness and erasing the stigma surrounding teen suicide set her apart in the competition, as she demonstrated impressive leadership and courage.
This spring, she continued her efforts through a different vehicle: the theatrical production of And She Split the Sky in Two, which she wrote and directed. The play, which deals with Indigenous issues and teen suicide, was the winner of the district drama festival, and has advanced to the upcoming regional competition.
Aleria was recently accepted to York University’s theatre program, and hopes to enter the teaching profession as a drama teacher after that.
Carter Roung,
Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School
Carter is an elite-level golfer, taking up the game five years ago. In 2016, the Grade 9 student was accepted into the Junior Performance Team at Cambridge's Whistle Bear Golf Club.The following year, he finished third at the 2017 Optimist Kingsville Canadian Open. The finish qualified Carter for the 2018 Optimist International Junior Golf Championship, one of the largest junior golf tournaments in the world, taking place this July at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
Carter attends Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School as part of the SOAR (Strength, Opportunity, Achievement, Results) program, where he is recognized for his perseverance and sense of responsibility.
Isaac Kragten,
McKinnon Park Secondary School
Isaac is a highly accomplished actor and dancer who has appeared in a variety of television series and movies, including Anne of Green Gables, Odd Squad and Taken.
Last year, the Grade 10 student won a 2017 Daytime Emmy Award as Outstanding Performer in a Children's Series for TVO’s Odd Squad, which airs internationally.
Most recently, Isaac worked alongside Academy Award winner Robert DeNiro on a major motion picture called The War with Grandpa, which is set for release later this year. Isaac has made a positive impression on staff and students at McKinnon Park Secondary School thanks to his humility and integrity, as well as the respect he consistently demonstrates.
Allan St. Pierre,
Tollgate Technological Skills Centre
Allan’s secondary school career has defined perseverance and integrity, overcoming many academic and personal hurdles along the way. Now in Grade 12, he has so much to be proud of.
Beginning in self-contained special education classrooms, he successfully moved on to completely integrated for-credit classes. His strong desire to understand and participate in his cultural heritage has been a guiding inspiration, and this fall, he was elected to the Niagara Peninsula Aboriginal Area Management Board’s Indigenous Youth Advisory Committee – one of ten, and the only student from our region selected. In this important role, he will help to plan educational and employment programs for Indigenous youth.
Allan has been a tremendously positive influence in the Tollgate community, developing the leadership skills that will carry him in his new role, and into the bright future ahead of him.
Alexa Windle,
Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School
This summer, before entering Grade 9 at BCI, Alexa competed in the 2017 Legion National Youth Track and Field Championship in Brandon, Manitoba.
Alexa was one of the youngest competitors to qualify, and came home with a bronze in discus, a bronze in hammer, and fourth place in shotput.
Provincially in her age group, she is ranked first in hammer and discus, second in shotput, and has been nominated Athletics Ontario Midget Thrower of the Year. Off the field, it’s her sense of responsibility, integrity, and humility that have also been a source of pride for the school community at BCI.
Ascension Harjo,
Pauline Johnson Collegiate and Vocational School
Ascension was introduced to hoop dancing at a very young age through his family’s involvement in the traditional healing dance, and today the Grade 11 student at Pauline Johnson Collegiate & Vocational School is an accomplished artist in his own right.
This past summer, the spotlight was on Ascension as he performed at the Indigenous Games Opening Ceremony in front of athletics and delegates from across North America.
From hoop dancing to shooting hoops, he also competed in basketball during the Games, and his talent, passion, and commitment to both pursuits sets him apart.