A collection of stories from Ontario community newspapers, checking in on past Ontario Junior Citizen Award recipients, in honour of the program’s 35th anniversary.
ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARDS
Table of Contents
Where are they now? Tim Christo
Chris Purvis
– page 3 –
– page 6 –
1982 1991 1992
Letter from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
Missy Little
Jennifer Long (nee Sarkis) – page 8 –
1993
Justin Hines – page 10 –
– page 7 –
– page 2 – Janelle Roth – page 4 –
1986
1999
Learn about these past Ontario Junior Citizen Award recipients. How has the award affected their lives, and where are they now?
2006
Madison Dyck
Natasha Rae
– page 11 –
2004
– page 15 –
2010
Elyse Labelle – page 13 –
Alnoor Gowani Deandra Pierroz
– page 14 –
– page 12 –
2006
2009
Ontario Junior Citizen Honour Roll – page 17 –
These outstanding young people were nominated for community service, contributing while living with a limitation, heroism, excellence in personal achievements, or going above and beyond to make others’ lives better. Each has demonstrated qualities that make Ontario great, and their stories have inspired others in their communities to do the same.
1
2
Ontario Junior Citizen Award recipient from 1982 Tim Christo remembers the details 34 years later Jennifer Vandermeer, Norwich Gazette Details from the day Norwich’s Tim Christo earned his nomination as an Ontario Junior Citizen are still quite clear in his mind – even though it’s been 34 years since he received the honour. That could be because each year when he sees the call for Ontario Junior Citizen Award nominations in the Norwich Gazette, or each time he drives along Baseline Road in Norwich Township, his mind wanders back to that day in 1982.
“What the award entailed was my family and I got to spend the night in Toronto,” said Tim, adding it was probably the first time he’d spent the night in the “big city” – let alone seen his name in lights at the recognition event. Then-Lieutenant Governor John Black Aird met with the award recipients and he left an impression on the young man from rural Norwich.
Tim, who was 16 at the time, was working at his summer job at an apple orchard on Baseline Road, east of the Village of Norwich. He was on his way from the orchard to the house to have his lunch and was horsing around with his co-workers when they noticed a toddler who lived across the road had wandered down the long laneway at that home and was nearing the road.
“Thinking back, I could tell this was one of the fun parts of his job. He was grandfatherly with us,” said Tim, who remembers thinking Aird was a good lieutenant governor. “He loved kids and you could tell.”
Tim receiving his Ontario Junior
Tim received a plaque and pin commemorating his award, and attended the dinner and presentation ceremony held for the award recipients each year.
The laneway, and toddler, were at the Citizen Award in 1982. crest of a hill, and Tim saw a vehicle Tim still has the plaque, but lost the pin coming up the road. The driver that he used to wear on his suit jacket. wouldn’t have been able to see the In a “what a small world” situation, one of the other young tot until it would have been too late to stop. award recipients that year was a friend of one of Tim’s “I just saw the toddler, saw the car and just knew I had relatives. to go,” said Tim. The story about what led to him earning the Ontario Without a second thought, he ran to get the child out Junior Citizen Award – and the good feeling of the of the way. recognition – is one that Tim shares with his three daughters every once in a while. He, his wife and That act of selflessness drew the attention of his children still live in Norwich. employers, who nominated Tim for an award of courage at the former Norwich District High School “I’ll probably never leave,” he said. where he was a student. He received that award and Tim is a partner in a backhoe operating business and was also selected from dozens of nominees for the is very involved in local sports – as a coach and player. Ontario Junior Citizen Award in 1982. And his social circle includes friends who are the That entire experience is one Tim has still not current owners of the apple orchard where his journey forgotten, either. to junior citizenship began.
Where are they now?
3
Tavistock teen cared for others, even as she died of cancer Bill Jackson, New Hamburg Independent
As I did a quick Google search for the name Janelle Roth, I expected to find an accomplished professional, perhaps a lengthy curriculum vitae or a collection of happy family photos on Facebook. What I found instead, more upsettingly, was her gravestone.
“She was a girl who wanted to get her Grade 12,” Katherine said. Despite a long bout with cancer, Roth went on to earn her honourary Grade 12 diploma in the spring of 1989, shortly before she passed. But she also seemed to accept the end of her life that was inevitably coming. Even early on in her cancer treatments, Janelle’s paycheques from the restaurant went into a savings account for her niece’s and nephew’s education, her dad Ken recalls.
Life for this former winner of a Junior Citizen Award was cut short by cancer in 1989, at the age of 17, making it impossible to provide an update on where her life has led since winning the award. But if you ask her parents, Janelle’s legacy still lives on in those who knew her best, mostly due to the Tavistock teen’s resiliency in the face of a deadly and debilitating disease, and her conviction and determination to live life to its fullest while she had the chance.
“She only ever spent her tips.”
Janelle’s parents remember how Janelle inspired others with her resilience and determination.
Though she didn’t turn out to be a scientist or an Olympian, her story is a true testament of the positive impact a young person can have, even in the face of adverse circumstances. Janelle was nominated for her Junior Citizen Award in 1986 by the owners of Quehl’s restaurant, where she worked in her hometown of Tavistock. As a Grade 9 student at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Janelle was in the midst of a six-year battle with Hodgkin’s disease that entailed many painful medical procedures, including powerful blasts of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. “She was aware that cancer could take your life, but she was not one to sit around,” her mother Katherine recalled. Education was most important to Janelle. She wanted to be a schoolteacher. Whether resting at home or recuperating in hospital, her first request was always, “Don’t forget my books.”
4
It was that kind of selfless attitude that helped Janelle raise thousands of dollars for the Great Ride for Cancer, which she participated in four times, the last of which she was unable to complete. “She said ‘I know it won’t do me any good, but maybe it will help others,’” her dad said. “That kind of spirit was in her.”
Janelle refused to let cancer get the better of her. She completed 4-H courses, played the guitar, earned her driver’s licence and loved to swim. Her parents smile fondly while retelling the time she won an underwater race at Bible camp following a round of chemotherapy. “Everyone told her, ‘You’re too sick,’” her dad laughed. “But she went in it and won.” “I can’t? I’m doing it,” was her mentality, her mother said. Janelle was one of three patients from the Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario to attend Expo ’86 in Vancouver. In 1987 she received the Ontario Junior Citizen Award from former Lt. Governor Lincoln Alexander.
Where are they now?
“Everyone told her, ‘You’re too sick,’” her dad laughed. “But she went in it and won.” Yet despite her list of achievements, it was her impact on others that defined her short life. “Never give up,” was what she told a TV interviewer after receiving one of her awards. Over the years, the family received updates on the kids Janelle knew at Camp Trillium. Some went on to get married and stayed in touch with the Roths. “She touched so many people’s lives in a positive way,” Ken said. When Janelle died, donations made in her name eclipsed those of any other person laid to rest at the Krug Funeral Home. “Janelle had an inner strength that in some ways was much beyond her years,” her psychologist wrote in a
paper entitled Janelle’s Story. “She has a presence in her family and her community that is difficult to describe. She influenced many by her quiet strength.” One of the things that stood out through her six-year medical ordeal that included lengthy stays in a London hospital, was her concern for saving her family from pain, “wanting everything to be OK for their sakes.” After her bone marrow transplant, hope was dashed when another tumour was discovered. But she took the news calmly. “As much as Janelle wanted an end to her struggle, she didn’t want to disappoint or hurt her family… I realized that she again was caring for everyone else, including me. She was making our parting easy.” So, where is she now?
“Indeed Janelle is still with her family and her friends,” the psychologist wrote. “Janelle is still with me. In many ways, Janelle’s story does not end.”
Where are they now?
5
Chris Purvis recalls ’91 Junior Citizenship honour By Michael Erskine, The Manitoulin Expositor SUDBURY – Although he is now 35, Christopher Purvis still has vivid memories of that day 25 years ago when he pulled his best friend Dustin Woods from the clutches of a rain swollen stream near his Gore Bay home. It was Mr. Purvis’ heroic actions in saving his friend, and keeping his wits about him, that led to his nomination by our sister paper, The Manitoulin Recorder, and selection as a finalist of the Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award in 1991.
“It was really something to be there,” he said, noting that the experience made a big impression on him. Mr. Purvis is recalled by his fellow students as being a popular student while he was at Manitoulin Secondary School and, like many Islanders, he moved away for post-secondary schooling and work, residing for a time in North Bay, before seizing the opportunity to move closer to home. Today, Mr. Purvis works for mining giant Vale at Garson Mine as a millwright and is married with two children of his own, both girls, Elyse age four and Charlotte age one. Mr. Purvis still maintains contact with his buddy Dustin Woods, who now lives in Val Caron.
His friend had attempted to jump the raging waters of the stream, but the leap proved to be too long and he slipped into the water. Mr. Purvis recalled that his friend managed to clutch the edge of a culvert as he was swept along. “I did what I had to do,” said Mr. Purvis of his actions that day, but presence of mind he displayed and his quick actions speak volumes about the calibre of the 10-year-old young man who found himself standing in front of Ontario Lieutenant Governor Lincoln Alexander as one of the 12 1991 Ontario Junior Citizens.
The Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Awards are celebrating their 35th annual edition and are sponsored by the TD Bank Group and the Insurance Bureau of Canada, along with the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, of which this newspaper is a member.
“It was really something to be there,” he said, noting that the experience made a big impression on him.
6
Where are they now?
Past award recipient a familiar face to many St. Marys seniors By Stew Slater, St. Marys Journal Argus As part of the Junior Citizen Awards 35th anniversary celebration, the OCNA has suggested member newspapers look back on previous Ontario Junior Citizen Award recipients from their communities. Among those former recipients was Missy Little of St. Marys, who was nominated back in 1992 and received her award as one of the 12 recipients at the Ontario Legislature in Toronto in early 1993. “It was kind of fun,” Little recalled in an interview earlier this week, about the 1993 ceremony. “You felt pretty special for the day.” When first asked to recall her nomination and eventual selection as one of 12 Junior Citizens, Little – who was in Grade 12 at Stratford St. Michael Catholic high school at the time – said she couldn’t really recall why she was nominated. Instead, she remembered that “I felt kind of undeserving, being there (at the Legislature). There were all these other young people, and some of them were real heroes. I think one guy had saved somebody after they fell off a snowmobile into the water!” Those who know Little, however, will quickly see through this humble façade. The former winner is, after all, a well-known advocate for enhanced accessibility for people with mobility challenges – of which she is one. Only last month, she was featured in the Journal Argus for being the first-ever wheelchair occupant lifted onto a VIA Rail passenger train at the St. Marys station by a mechanical lift that she lobbied VIA Rail to install. Her first voyage of choice was to travel with a group of family and friends to Montreal to take in an NHL hockey game featuring her beloved Canadiens. Pressured about her recollections about the nominations, she allows, “I think I was nominated for always being there and helping others despite my own
situation – which, to me, isn’t a situation, it’s just my life. I know it no other way.” (To give some context to those unfamiliar with Little, she was born with diastrophic dwarfism – a condition that had taken the little baby who would have been her brother one year earlier, at just three days of age. Her first surgery was to create a roof to her mouth, as she did not have one. Between the ages of 4-24 months, she was in and out of hospital as attempts were made to straighten her legs in the hopes she would someday walk. When she was four, thanks in part to advocacy undertaken by the St. Marys Rotary Club, she received what was then one the first electric wheelchairs ever made in Canada – and certainly the only one at that time being used by someone so young. “Diastrophic means weak limbs,” she explains, “meaning as I age, my limbs get weaker.” So for two years during her time at Holy Name Catholic School in St. Marys, she wore a neck brace to help hold her head up. At the end of Grade 5, she lived at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for three months. For the first month, they stretched her neck by attaching a halo to her skull with four screws; this was attached to a series of pulleys over her bed. Every other day they would add more weight to the end, eventually stretching her neck two inches, giving them the space they needed to perform the procedure. They removed her hip bone and fused it into her neck, giving it the support it needed. “The operation took 11 hours but was a great success.”) All this, and Little is still known as someone who cares greatly about the welfare of others. It’s a degree of empathy that she has translated into a career, after attending Fanshawe College in London, first to study mechanical engineering and then marketing.
Where are they now?
7
She currently works as a receptionist at Kingsway Lodge and Fairhill Residence. She greets visitors, provides directions and takes calls at the complex’s reception desk. “I truly love every minute of it,” she says of her role at Kingsway/Fairhill – a complex within which she also lives, in Fairhill’s residential portion. “I feel that, although I am here to answer the phone, my sole purpose is to be a positive, caring and enthusiastic
presence here at Kingsway, for not only those on the phone, but also the residents, staff and visitors.” She loves to joke, too, about being a young person in a complex in which almost all of the residents, and even a great proportion of the visitors, exceed her in age. “I love having a hundred grandmas and grandpas looking over me, always telling me when I need a sweater,” she says with a grin.
Former OCNA Junior Citizen Jennifer Sarkis returns to her Stoney Creek roots By Laura Lennie, Stoney Creek News Jennifer Sarkis’ drive to assist others was evident at a young age.
Sarkis said the food bank always was advertising how low its stock was.
And it hasn’t slowed down since, with all roads leading back to Stoney Creek.
“The food bank always had a good shipment around Christmas time or Thanksgiving, but it didn’t have a lot during regular times of the year,” she said, adding the idea quickly expanded to include food collections in other neighbourhoods, at schools and the Hamilton Police Service, where her father worked as a police officer. “It was one thing as a young kid that I could do to help people less fortunate. It was a fun thing to do and it really felt good to do.”
“I’ve been interested in helping people for as long as I can remember,” the 33-year-old said. “I’m at a point in my life now where I’ve finished my education, I’ve gained my experience and I’m bringing it back here in hopes of making a difference in my community.” Sarkis’ journey towards helping others began when she was 11 years old and in Grade 6 at Green Acres Elementary School.
And her efforts didn’t go unnoticed. Sarkis earned the Ontario Junior Citizen Award from the Ontario Community Newspapers Association in 1993.
She came up with a plan to reach out to her neighbours in support of the Stoney Creek Community Food Bank. She decided to write a letter and deliver copies of it to each house on her street asking for donations, with a promise to collect the food items on a specific day. People could just leave the items on their doorsteps and she would collect them using a small wagon.
8
“It was nice to be recognized,” she said. “The best part was meeting all the other recipients from across the province who had done so many incredible things.” For Sarkis, garnering the award only fuelled her drive to assist others.
Where are they now?
“It was one thing as a young kid that I could do to help people less fortunate. It was a fun thing to do and it really felt good to do.” She continued to help out with the food bank and volunteered at her church and the Hamilton Police Service. Sarkis graduated from Orchard Park Secondary School and worked towards a diploma in Police Foundations at Mohawk College. She also volunteered at St. Joseph’s Healthcare in Stoney Creek where she ultimately found her true calling. “I was helping out with a day program for seniors and I loved it,” Sarkis said. “It was then that I realized my passion for being and working with seniors. I immediately enrolled in the Recreation and Leisure program – with an emphasis on geriatrics and therapeutic recreation – at Mohawk.” She completed her co-ops in the field and was hired right out of college. Sarkis’ first gig was at a long-term care residence in Ancaster, where she worked in recreation. She also moved up to a manager position and was a program and volunteer coordinator there, having also completed the Volunteer Management and Retirement Communities, as well as Administrators Leadership programs at Mohawk. Sarkis worked in long-term care recreation for eight years. She has spent the past four years being an administrator for senior buildings in the Toronto and Halton areas, with 300 employees and 190 residents under her wing. And now Sarkis is gearing up to begin her job as executive director of the new seniors’ complex being built on the former Stoney Creek Dairy property. Owned and operated by BayBridge Senior Living, the $17-million complex will feature a five-storey,
140-suite retirement home offering varying levels of care and one commercial unit facing King Street East. It also will include eight townhouse units fronting Dawson Street. Located on the first floor of the home, the 1,000-square-foot commercial unit will house a dairy bar. The store will sell ice cream and other snacks and will be open to the public, with direct entrance from King Street. It’s expected to be completed next November. Sarkis was hired this month and will start her role as executive director on Jan. 4. She will be in charge of operating the entire building. “My job is to ensure that the day-to-day operations run efficiently and smoothly, that we follow a budget, we are accountable to our seniors and their families, and provide the utmost in care,” Sarkis said. For Sarkis, the position is special for a few reasons. “There’s nothing better than being born and raised in a community and still being able to give back to the community that you live in,” she said. “Also, my father’s first job as a teenager was making 90 cents an hour scooping ice cream and parking cars at the old dairy. To be able to do what I love and return to my roots means the world.” Sarkis said there’s nothing else she’d rather be doing than working with seniors in her hometown. Sarkis feels like her life has come full circle. “Sometimes you have to journey away from home to get more experience,” she said. “All that I’ve learned and gone through has led me right back to Stoney Creek. I’m really looking forward to using everything that I’ve gained to better serve my community.”
“I think the best part is the reaction you get from seniors when you’ve helped them have a good day in some way,” she said. “It means everything to them when they have a place where they can wake up every day knowing that they’re going to be well taken care of.”
Where are they now?
9
Jr. Citizen in ’99 inspired by today’s youth By Sandra Bolan, Stouffville Sun-Tribune Today’s youth are “high achievers” and “big thinkers,” according to Justin Hines.
It took Hines about nine years to achieve his goal of being signed to a record label.
The former Whitchurch-Stouffville resident was a 1999 Ontario Junior Citizen and is “curious to see what they come up with” now.
“My passion for music was so strong I really didn’t care who was listening,” he said, adding he didn’t really notice how long it took because he enjoyed what he was doing.
Today, the 33-year-old Creemore resident is a world-renowned singer/ songwriter and a 2014 Order of Ontario recipient.
Hines, now married, also never forgot those early days of helping others. In 2013, Hines, along with Canadian duo Ash & Bloom, went on a North American charity tour.
When Hines won his Junior Citizen Award, at the age of 17, it was for applying his musical talents to support local charities and help others.
They travelled more than 12,000 km and gave 100 per cent of their ticket sales to more than 70 charities.
He did so while battling his own issues. Hines has Larsen Syndrome, which is a joint dislocation condition that keeps him in a wheelchair.
In 2012, Hines’ career almost came to an end. Hines found himself struggling to sing at full strength.
The program, which is marking its 35th anniversary, is celebrating the lives of previous recipients. “I remember it all very clearly,” Hines said of the day he got to meet then-Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Hilary Weston. He also said he felt out of place for winning the award because “all I did was sing for a living.” Winning the award was “awesome” and it helped Hines realize he really could play and write music for a living. “It’s been a really good journey for me,” he said. It’s also been a long one.
It was painful and the scoliosis was creating new physical obstacles, along with obstructions to his lungs and vocal cords. Today, he feels “good.” Hines is still recording and touring. He’s performed in the Lebovic Centre for Arts and Entertainment – Nineteen on the Park a handful of times. He is also helping develop other artists. “It’s a cool time. I’m interested in different areas of the business,” he said.
“My passion for music was so strong I really didn’t care who was listening,” he said, adding he didn’t really notice how long it took because he enjoyed what he was doing.
10
Where are they now?
Growing up to make change By Matt Vis, Thunder Bay Source Madison Dyck learned at a young age it’s possible for one person to have an impact on the world.
“For me volunteering isn’t a painful thing. It’s important to me,” she said. “It’s just second nature.”
At the young age of seven, the now 19-year-old earned an Ontario Community Newspapers Association’s Junior Citizen Award, recognizing her efforts in raising more than $2,000 for Parkinson’s disease research, and designing a poster used in a national campaign.
Her adventurous spirit has allowed her to embark on a number of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including sailing through the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean as well as travelling across the continent.
“I think everybody is able to make a change within their world, even if it’s within their small community or on a large scale,” she said. The 2014 graduate of Hammarskjold High School continued that spirit of giving back over the next dozen years, earning the Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for Students after recording more than 1,250 volunteer hours. Madison earned those hours through a mix of volunteering at her school, giving back to the people of Thunder Bay, and doing work abroad, including a one-week expedition where she helped save baby sea turtles on the beaches of Cozumel.
Being one with nature is very important to her, and seeing the impacts of climate change spurs her future ambitions of working to protect the planet. “Our changing environment is a really big factor. Being outside is the most important thing to me. Somehow I’d like to incorporate photography and climate change and showing how it’s affecting us.” Her mother, Catherine Forbes, said Madison follows her heart and creates opportunities.
“We know that Madison is an adventure seeker and a challenge seeker,” she said. “My husband and I are beyond proud of Madison. She has forged her own way, she continues to, and it’s something to watch her develop who she is... We’re excited to see what she does next.”
Where are they now?
11
Deandra Pierroz is a past OCNA Junior Citizen Awards recipient By Tamara Botting, New Hamburg Independent Deandra Pierroz was 15 years old when she was named a recipient of the Ontario Junior Citizen Awards. Pierroz was given the award, presented by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, in 2006. It is given annually to youth ages six to 17 years old who are “involved in worthwhile community service, contribute while living with a limitation, perform an heroic act, demonstrate individual excellence, or go above and beyond to help others.”
She attended the University of Windsor and studied music therapy in her undergrad before she decided to go back to school for teachers’ college. “I just graduated from teachers’ college in May. Since then, I’ve been volunteering in the music programs with the Halton District School Board, the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board, and the Grand Erie District School Board,” said Pierroz, now 24. “It takes up a fair bit of time,” she said with a laugh.
The Binbrook resident was given the award for her considerable volunteering efforts in her community, something she continues to this day.
Music has always been a big part of her life, and it is something she now enjoys sharing with students.
This was not the only honour Pierroz has been presented with. In 2008, she was presented with the Max Rotman Humanitarian Youth Award, which is given to students in Grades 11 and 12 to recognize, amongst other qualities, volunteerism and leadership. Two years later, in 2010, she was one of the first two recipients of the Glanbrook Community Scholarship.
“I love working with the kids and I love music,” Pierroz said. “I love seeing how music can reach any child.” For the past decade, she’s also volunteered with the contemporary worship team at Binbrook United Church.
“It’s been a bit of a winding road that I’ve taken, but I don’t regret any of the decisions,” she said. “I’ve definitely learned a lot on the way.”
12
Where are they now?
Former Junior Citizen returns to Manitoulin and the family business By Michael Erskine, The Manitoulin Expositor HONORA BAY – 2006 Junior Citizen finalist Elyse Labelle of Honora Bay returned to Manitoulin Island this past October after living and going to school in Ottawa, to join her father Maurice Labelle in the family business, Manitoulin Financial Queensbury Strategies Inc.
projects to sink her teeth into. “We haven’t had a lot of time yet, we have just settled in, so I haven’t been super active,” she said. “There is a Christmas Tea at St. Bernard’s (Roman Catholic Church in Little Current) on December 5, and my mom and I have been busy making crafts for the sale.”
“I have recently completed my Canadian Securities Course,” she said. “I am also working on an insurance course in order to be able to sell life insurance.”
Ms. Labelle said that she is reminded of why she wanted to move back to Manitoulin Island every time she goes to the grocery store. “There is just such a nice sense of community here,” she said.
Ms. Labelle was attending the University of Ottawa where she studied Communications and Municipal Business where she met her boyfriend who was studying engineering. “We looked around and realized that we would both rather be living in Northern Ontario,” she said, “so we set our sights on the Island.” Ms. Labelle was just 16 when her neighbour nominated her for the award. “Mr. Burnford had put my name forward, I guess because of the community service work I was doing at the high school (Manitoulin Secondary School).” Ms. Labelle’s nomination was facilitated through The Expositor. Ms. Labelle has always been involved in her community and church and, although she is just getting settled back in, she has already found a number of volunteer
Her father Maurice Labelle is pretty happy that his daughter has decided to move to the Island, beaming his trademark grin as he admitted that, although the day is still a fair way off, there was an element of succession planning he hoped would be incorporated in the move. “Yes, there is a bit of that,” he said. “She has done very well with the courses.” Small wonder, as Junior Citizens tend to turn out to be very successful citizens in their lives. This year the Ontario Junior Citizen Awards is celebrating its 35th annual edition, and are sponsored by the TD Bank Group and the Insurance Bureau of Canada, along with the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, of which this newspaper is a member.
Ms. Labelle recalled her nomination as a Junior Citizen fondly. “It was an amazing experience,” she said. “To be there at the ceremony and to meet all these great people.”
Where are they now?
13
Former Junior Citizen now a hard-working college student By Chad Ingram, Minden Times Alnoor Gowani was a 13-year-old Grade 8 student when he was given a Junior Citizen Award from the Ontario Community Newspapers Association in 2009, for saving a drowning man from the Gull River.
It was a Grade 11 marketing course that steered Gowani toward the program he’s in. He also points out that he comes from a family of businesspeople, so it was a natural choice.
Gowani and a friend had been swimming along the river in Minden on a Friday night when Gowani noticed a man struggling in the water. Swimming out to meet the 30year old, Gowani grabbed his hands, told him to kick his feet and swam him safely back to shore.
The Gowanis were the franchisees of the Pioneer station along Highway 35 in Minden.
Gowani’s family left the Haliburton Highlands when he was partway through his Grade 10 year, with him finishing his high school career in Mississauga. He was the recipient of a scholarship from the Port Credit Alumni Association. Having lived in Minden since he was a Grade 2 student at Archie Stouffer Elementary School, it was a major transition, moving to a much, much larger centre.
Marketing is a multifaceted industry, and Gowani says he gravitates toward the project management end of things, but isn’t certain yet what his dream job would be. “I’m not sure where I want to go, specifically,” he says. He lives in North York with his mother and older sister Reema. He says Reema used to return to Haliburton County for the annual Relay for Life, and that he has been back a couple of times. “I went to Kinark once for a camping trip,” he says, but has little connection to the Highlands at this point in time.
“There was a much higher degree of diversity,” Gowani says, referencing Haliburton County’s homogenous demographics. “It was a bit strange at first, but I got accustomed to it.”
As for what he does in his spare time? “Right now, it’s just mainly work.” Gowani says.
Today, Gowani is a 19-year-old marketing student at Toronto’s George Brown College. “I’m in my co-op for school,” Gowani says, explaining that he is a marketing and events assistant for the college. He’s in his second year of a four-year business administration program, and also working two part-time retail jobs.
14
Where are they now?
Former Ontario Junior Citizen recipient cherishes memories By Stew Slater, St. Marys Journal Argus This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Ontario Junior Citizen Awards – which offer an opportunity for the public to acknowledge outstanding young people age 6 to 17 in their community. Award categories are community service, contributing while living with limitations, acts of heroism, excellence in personal achievements, and making life better for others while doing more than is expected of someone their age. As part of the 35th anniversary celebration for the awards, the OCNA has suggested member newspapers look back on previous Ontario Junior Citizen Award recipients from their communities. Among those former recipients was Natasha Rae of St. Marys, who was nominated back in 2010 and received her award as one of the 12 recipients at an OCNA event in Niagara Falls in January, 2011. “I am sure you already know, but I won the (award) due to the fundraiser I created for (St. Marys resident) Zoe Klein, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” Rae explained in a message to the Journal Argus last week, after being contacted with a request to participate in a “where are they now” type article. As a front-page article stated in the Journal Argus at the time of the award announcement almost five years ago, Rae – who was 17 at the time – “organized a campaign to make ‘friendship bracelets’ in support of eight year-old Zoe,” who was a student at Little Falls Public School, where Natasha’s mom was a teacher.
After an intensive round of treatments at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and frequent trips to Kitchener for blood test work, Zoe Klein recovered and continues to enjoy good health. But it’s clear from Rae that the experience of getting to know Klein when she was battling the disease left a lasting impression. “I am now finishing my last year at the University of Guelph and I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in the Child, Youth and Family program with my Early Child Educators,” Rae informed the Journal Argus. “Zoe was one of the main reasons as to why I choose this program.” “When I went to Sick Kids Hospital to visit Zoe over Halloween when she was getting chemo treatments, Zoe’s mom, Rhonda, talked to me about Zoe’s Child Life Specialist. I became interested in this occupation and did my own research before applying to schools.” Rae is a graduate of St. Marys DCVI, and she will very soon be a graduate of the University of Guelph. But Sick Kids – where she went to comfort Zoe – continues to play an important role in her life and career aspirations. “I am now doing my fourth year practicum at Sick Kids under the supervision of a Child Life Specialist. I am loving my placement so much, that I will be applying to the Child Life Specialist Masters program
“I am now finishing my last year at the University of Guelph and I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in the Child, Youth and Family program with my Early Child Educators,” Rae informed the Journal Argus. “Zoe was one of the main reasons as to why I choose this program.”
Where are they now?
15
in December. This program is extremely competitive, as only 10 individuals are chosen, and this is the only program in Canada. Due to this program being so competitive, I have also applied to teacher’s college and hope to have my French qualifications after spending my summer in Paris as an Au Pair. “No matter what field I end up in, I know my experience with Zoe has helped me to decide that I want to spend the rest of my life working with children, no matter the setting.” Rae regrets that she is so busy she doesn’t get much chance to return to St. Marys and visit with her family – or Zoe and Rhonda Klein – in person. “However, it
is always nice to see updates on Facebook from Rhonda and Zoe about her continuing good health.” And the Ontario Junior Citizen Award isn’t the only recognition certificate held dear by Natasha Rae. Her commitment to community continues. She recently won the Gonder Family Student Accessibility Services Volunteer Scholarship from the University of Guelph. “This scholarship was to recognize the services I provide for the Student Accessibility Services, such as providing notes for individuals in my class,” she explained. Congratulations on the award, Natasha, and all the best!
“No matter what field I end up in, I know my experience with Zoe has helped me to decide that I want to spend the rest of my life working with children, no matter the setting.”
16
Ontario Junior Citizen Honour Roll Year Received
Name
Hometown
1981
Linda Anne Angus Kelly Kirkham Angus Warner Steven Rollason Omer Belisle Amber Anderson Jo-Anne Emerson Trevor Hehn Sean Hovington Roy Martel Joel Rowan Rodney Barkley Leah Chorniak Brenda Vines Chantal Michaud Frank Meyer Faith Swann Patrick Carter Tim Christo Lisa Andreassi Annie Janzen Hack Waldon Jose Medeiros Steven Barkley Melissa Howe Eugene McInnis Greg DeJong Bruce Vandermolen David Vandermolen Bobby Inglis Anthony Langsford Michael Bruggemann Ronald Fontaine John Richthammer Bobby Sedore Michael Hall Douglas Irvine Stephen Whitney Colin Lackner Jim Legge Eric Farquhar Victor Deline Billy Amlin Alexander Ogg-Moss Jeff Parker Jeff Rasmussen Peter Mang Brenda Kristensen Ron Bergsma Kelli McGee Malcolm Black Andrew Black Kimberley Scobie
Cornwall Elmira Hamilton Ilderton Nipigon Parry Sound Parry Sound Pembroke Pickering Pickering Scarborough Williamsburg Brantford Elmira Mattawa Mississauga Mississauga Newmarket Norwich Seaforth Stratton Thunder Bay Toronto Winchester Dalkeith Iroquois Iroquois Jarvis Jarvis Kingston Kingston Pickering Port Colborne Red Lake Roblin Sault Ste. Marie Uxbridge Waterloo Waterloo Waterloo Waterloo Worthington Amherstburg Carleton Place Holstein Milverton Nobel Oakville Pembroke Port Elgin Priceville Priceville Renfrew
1982
1983
1984
Year Received
1985
1986
1987
1988
Name
Hometown
Sherry-Lynne Scobie Stuart Smith Donald Savard Luc Savard Shawna Martel David Howe Riscylla Walsh Casey Morrison Eddie Richards Julie Salter Diane Salter Sherry Peltomaki Kevin Peltomaki David Brown Lauren Vancaeyzeele Jennifer Geer Stephen Turner Kevin Button Kristofer Button Kyle Button Darcy Metzger Cory Bendzsak Reginald Topping Jeffery Challe Maria Dalton Barry McArthur Rita Rudolph Melissa Anne Hague Mark Falzon Carol Wood Ruel Brown Janelle Roth Karen Goodfellow Susan Mitchell Joshua Davis Jena Bellisle Yvette Pritchard Ryan Giddy Randy Thibeault Geoff Carnegie Marie Black Taunia MacMillan Stephanie Mills Brenda Morris Pamela Rice Brad Haffie Janice Johnston Lisa Kuenzig Jeff Phaneuf Christine Barber Joey Philion Brad Park Andrea Drouin
Renfrew Renfrew Timmins Timmins Timmins Trenton Utterson Collingwood Demorestville Enterprise Enterprise Huntsville Huntsville London Newmarket Prince Albert Renfrew Stoney Creek Stoney Creek Stoney Creek Waterloo Windsor Windsor Brantford Goderich Gorrie Hepworth Lakefield Markham Newmarket Paris Tavistock Toronto Bracebridge Burlington Combermere Combermere Fergus Foleyet Listowel Mount Forest Mount Forest Mount Forest Mount Forest Mount Forest Napanee Oakville Teeswater Tilbury Cambridge Cumberland Beach Dungannon Guelph
17
Year Received
1989
1990
1991
1992
18
Name
Hometown
Nicky North Michelle Renaud Sayelle Plunkett Nancy Featherston Ian Shire Douglas Anderson Tammilyn Leslie Colleen Beattie Melissa Rogers Hannah Schoch Lara Wakegijig Jessica MacDougall Chad Hamelin Andrea ou-Hingwan Kurtis Arnold Lance Benns Trevor Beattie Eric Larocque Debra Surman Roma-Lynn Kennedy Georgina Blanas Crystal Lavigne Brad Adams Scott Douglas Matti Service Alison Agar John Angus Scott Stoppard Kathleen O’Connor Jennifer Walsh David Richardson Jason Schriver Kathryn Rutherford Mark Montpetit Dillon Smith Jason Stewart Patrick Anderson Christopher Purvis Joseph Stewart Angela Donaldson Sarah Kinsley Samantha Therrien Jennifer Wesley Ina Kota Charles MacDonald Lara Fisher Jinene Irversen Tommy Hass Jessica Manley Ronald Kirkland Donny Aiken Tuvia Borok Jessi-ann Irvine Missy Little Jay Poitras Allain Lauzon
Guelph Guelph Guelph Hagersville Inverary Lindsay Millgrove Pefferlaw Sarnia Scarborough Wikwemikong Amherstburg Barrie Don Mills Essex Huntsville Kemptville L’Original Nestleton Rockwood Tottenham Val Caron Caledonia Caledonia Eganville Fort Frances Fort Frances Hanover Mississauga New Liskeard Orleans Oshawa Thunder Bay Belle River Devlin Fergus Fergus Gore Bay Hamilton Harriston London Mattawa Moosonee Oakville Prescott Alvinston Copetown Eganville Kingston Kitchener Red Lake Richmond Hill Ridgeway St. Marys Stoney Creek Timmins
Year Received
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
Name
Hometown
Chandra Hunter Greg Reilly Vanessa D’Souza Colin Linton Dean Stoltz David Clark Samantha Holmes Gordon Simpson Jeff Preston Jennifer Long Christina Dubman Anita McElligott Jordin Rutledge Mandy Dunn Jennifer Newman Jennifer Green Jocelyn Chechoo April Verch Jacqueline Schoemaker Melissa Milner Julie Dickinson David Ferrato Brenda McIntyre Cory Wright Preston Hiscock Michelle Dunk Jesse Davidson Kristin Hayes Carl Rothfels Samantha Walker Daniel Rundle Julia Allore Sara Trought Katie Monteith Melissa Crawford Michael Sharshin Billy Stacey Jamie Wilson Usman Sheikh Lisa Beth Jackson Jadie Wardlaw Martin Skobla Novelette Munroe Lindsay Lefton Aaron Gauthier Michael Crombie Healther Muir Anne O’Connor Meghan Russell Bobby Thompson Mathew Brown Jacob Brown Yves Thauvette Deepa Kattail Cara Agar Jason Parks
Whitby Downsview Etobicoke Gloucester Kitchener Lambeth Mississauga Mississauga Port Elgin Stoney Creek Tiverton Wallaceburg Auburn Courtice London Markham Moose Factory Pembroke Prescott Walkerton Walkerton Windsor Windsor Aurora Espanola Guelph London Markham Pefferlaw Peterborough Sioux Lookout Tamworth Unionville Waterloo Ancaster Ancaster Bowmanville Bowmanville Brampton Guelph North Bay Oakville Scarborough Thornhill Tottenham Tottenham Walkerton Whitby Aurora Brampton Carleton Place Carleton Place Cornwall Mississauga Niagara Falls Picton
Year Received
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
Name
Hometown
Jenny Clement Shane Ohara David Ruscio Claire Heslop David Arksey Ashley Daya Tanner Martin Ryan Hreljac Grant Robertson Carolyn-Marie Goodwin Laurie-Ann Goodwin Mykal Johncox T.J. Perry Joey Hache Angelo Muredda Devon Christie Melanie Willson Dilnoor Panjwani Dilnaz Panjwani Jessica Bondy Julia Borovoy David Borovoy Bob McKay Crystal Peralta Tom Williams Jason Campbell Andrew Murphy Medin Admasu Joshua Paquin Justin Hines Drew Fisher David Bishop Cindy Monast Bill Horner Christine Kerr Leah Stadnyk Philip Birnbaum Kristina Domenicucci Robert McCarthy Danielle Campo Natalie Lapointe Nikita Ramdahani Jordyn Harrison Hunter Robinson Lisa Desormeaux Christina Katsios Ayala Ravek Nicholas Butte J.J. Mellen Douglas Cox Jessica Tuomela Jonathan Bloomfield Katie Thrasher Yajur Shukla Melanie Burton Jayde Duncombe
Richmond Hill Wallaceburg Woodbridge Almonte Barrie Bolton Huntsville Kemptville Newmarket Orillia Orillia Orleans Oshawa Russell Sudbury Whitby Burlington Etobicoke Etobicoke LaSalle Manotick Manotick Mississauga Mississauga Mississauga Nepean Newcastle Ottawa Ottawa Stouffville Alvinston Burlington Burlington Collingwood Fonthill Mindemoya Richmond Hill Sherkston Sudbury Tecumseh Tecumseh Toronto Aurora Brantford Gloucester London Nepean Orleans Pic Mobert Powassan Sault Ste. Marie Toronto Toronto Unionville Belleville Burlington
Year Received
2003
2004
2005
2006
Name
Hometown
Justin Gipson Katherine Hui Cody Welsh Clark Shirley Manh Rebecca Ballarin Fareed Champsi Shayne Smith Jesse Kancir Kimberley Vanleyden Myles McLellan Holly Ringrose Kale Lauzon Katie Turnbull Kim Plewes Allistair Button Eric LaPointe Kaitlynn Dodge Mackenzie Eaton Madison Dyck Christopher Beausoleil Ryan Williams Spencer Maxwell Amanda Fowler Julie Mannell Austin Corcoran Billy Wray Laura Newton Gracie Simpson-Malek Kristopher Knowles Kristian Carlo Maple Patricia Riddell Andrew Mizzoni John Leslie Brooke Corner Maylee Bossy Mackenzie Barnes Austin Barnes Natalie Kehl Kyp Little Kaitlynn Schildroth Rebecca Dixon Leena Bourne Shawna Kunkel Erin Iredale Bilaal Rajan Deandra Pierroz Zachary Langlois Steven Wang Maddison Babineau Jenna Lambert Elyse Labelle Sarah Craik Jordan Coleman Fiona Burgess Devin Castilloux Rachel Hacking
Gananoque Hamilton Kemptville Markham Peterborough Thornhill Toronto Val Rita Blackstock Chatham Chatham LaSalle Markham Oakville Orleans Petrolia Prescott Prescott Thunder Bay Tilbury Winchester Aurora Barrie Fonthill Iroquois Falls Milford Bay Pickering Powassan Sarnia Scarborough Waterdown Woodbridge Arnprior Barrie Chatham Chatham Chatham Harrow Kingston Listowel Ottawa Petrolia Powassan Stratford Toronto Binbrook Caledon Cambridge Hamilton Harrowsmith Little Current London Monkland Oakville Oakville Stratford
19
Year Received
Name
Hometown
2007
Lee Martin Daniel Francavilla Kieran McFarlane Alexandre Petroski Lilly Lynch Margaret Atkinson Nazim Bhimani Sophia Gran-Ruaz Julie Harmgardt Alexa Maxwell Coletyn Thompson Ashleigh Gisel Anthony Protomanni Sarah Cormier Andrew Cameron Jeff Howard Nicholas Maharaj Eden Beaudin Vivian Leung Kerrie Peters Avinash Balsingh Caroline D’souza Emily Ennett Jacob McGavin Calvin Green Abigayle Lennox Emma Ulakovic Kyle Druzina Alnoor Gowani Makayla Pereira Jackson Kuhn Corrina Serda Chante Barnwell Zachary Winkler Lageishon Mohanadas Jack Fazzari Rylan Johnson Morgan Moore Steven Muysson Joshua Edwards Nat Moraal Zac Andru Anisha Dhalla Simon Harmgardt Hannah Hempinstall Maya Burhanpurkar Natasha Rae Zane Schwartz Tyson Sherrer Mackenzie Oliver Rebecca Marsh Alysha Dykstra Isabelle Wilson Stephanie Simmons Breanna Pede Stephanie Murchison
Barrie Brampton Cobourg Lavigne London London Milton Mississauga Oakville Sioux Lookout Tillsonburg Welland Woodbridge Collingwood Guelph Innisfil London M’Chigeeng Oakville Pikangikum Scarborough Scarborough Stratford Walton Callander Cambridge Cambridge Fonthill Minden Orangeville Parry Sound Port Elgin Scarborough Thornhill Toronto Welland Welland Barrie Grimsby Kingston Madoc Port Hope Nepean Oakville Richmond Shanty Bay St. Marys Toronto Winchester Barrie Burlington Guelph Kincardine London Sarnia Sarnia
2008
2009
2010
2011
20
Year Received
2012
2013
2014
2015
Name
Hometown
River Wong Andrew Sigmaringam Kalem McSween Madelaine Frank Sarah Lewis Julie Dranitsaris Hannah Morden Natalie McDonald McKenna Modler Ugonna Chigbo Wesley Prankard Luis-Eduardo Grijalva Emma McCann Autumn Hagyard Annaleise Carr Arielle Grondin Alexandra Pino Bailey Whitehouse Jonathan Marcello Connor Withers Hannah Bywater Sarah Jones Faith Dickinson Thomas Glatzmayer Justina Marianayagam Anna-Sofia Lesiv Kelsey Hroch Zachary Blatman Abeera Shahid Isaac Pinsonneault Kaidyn Blair Mira Donaldson Emma Ermel Tory Provenzano Sabrina Hundal Shaylin Conroy Annaleise Carr Emilie Suwala Hayden Prince Joshua Morrison Sophie Bywater John Chisel Madleine Desroches Darquise Frappier Dheiksha Jayasankar Elizabeth Lampson Tysen Lefebvre Alexandria Montague Mattias Mueller Daniel Sequeira Preston Swan-Merrison Ishan + Vishal Vijay
Thornhill Toronto Toronto Whitby Windsor Caledon Durham Hanover Lansdown Mississauga Niagara Falls Orleans Sarnia Simcoe Simcoe Tecumseh Thornton Augusta Barrie Burlington Callander Guelph Lakefield Manotick Mississauga Nobleton Sault Ste. Marie Thornhill Brampton Chatham Essex Fort Frances Kitchener LaSalle Mississauga Oshawa Simcoe Stoney Creek Uxbridge Uxbridge Callander Hudson Tiny Sudbury St. Catharines Dundas Stittsville Hamilton Petrolia Mississauga London Oakville
Nominate outstanding. Are you inspired by a young person in your community? Nominate them for an Ontario Junior Citizen Award! Since 1981, the Ontario Community Newspapers Association has recognized outstanding young people for community service, contributing while living with a limitation, heroism, excellence in personal achievements, or going above and beyond to make others’ lives better. These young people age 6 to 17 have demonstrated qualities that make our communities great, and their stories are inspirational. If you’d like to nominate an outstanding young person for an Ontario Junior Citizen Award, visit ocna.org/juniorcitizen or the office of your local community newspaper.
The Ontario Junior Citizen Awards are made possible by the Ontario Community Newspapers Association and its members, with the support of TD Bank Group, and the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARDS
Kids can make a world of difference.
We can learn a great deal from these incredible young people. We’re proud to share their stories, celebrate their accomplishments, and support their dreams.
Exceptional youth, limitless potential
ONTARIO JUNIOR CITIZEN AWARDS