Each year, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Student Recognition Awards celebrate excellence in student leadership. Students are chosen by their principals and vice-principals for their demonstration of initiative, supported by the will to succeed, the dedication to finish what they started, and the commitment to achieve their personal best.
Congratulations to this year’s winner from Merivale High School,
Lauren M.!
Lauren M. is an intelligent, spirited, and caring student leader at Merivale High School. She is a master at building connections with those around her, listening to their thoughts and concerns, and using these conversations to create real change. Lauren thrives in hands-on, collaborative work, and has the discipline to work well independently or to lead in a group setting. As Co-President of the Merivale Student Council, Lauren has worked hard to foster cross-cultural learning and understanding. She has consulted with the Black Excellence and Rainbow Nation clubs to design items of school clothing that promote inclusivity along with school spirit, and for the “Kindness Month of May” initiative, she led many different activities and engaged every school club and every teacher leader to participate. As Co-Executive of the Merivale Athletic Council, Lauren also helped to re-introduce Intramurals to the school. Her team organized and coordinated the athletes on the court, championed appropriate fan behaviour amongst their peers, and created a widely engaging opportunity to play or cheer on the athletes! Lauren understands the distinction between competitive athletes and the greater commitment to be strong, informed athletes who care about others through leadership. She has shown great compassion in her role as co-captain of the field hockey team - when the team was at a tournament on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, she gathered everyone together to share information about the day’s history and importance, and provided the team with orange shirt pins for their uniforms. All in all, Lauren is a dynamic leader, a strong student, an excellent athlete, a dedicated volunteer, and a caring and loyal friend to others!
Learn more about this year's award recipients on the
OCDSB website.