Bianca Smith is the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s latest choice as recipient of the Alvin Shortt Award/Youth Citizen of the Year.
The Centre Wellington District High School student is from the southern portion of Centre Wellington – roughly between Ponsonby and Ennotville.
During a surprise visit to the school on April 27, Centre Wellington councillor Mary Lloyd said, “I have the great honour of presenting our yearly award for the youth citizen of the year.”
The award is sponsored by the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to the award presentation, Smith was given two tickets for the Chamber of Commerce’s Awards of Excellence gala at the Grand Theatre on May 17.
Smith said she was very excited to receive the award.
“It’s a great honour to be part of such a great community and it’s really nice to have that recognized,” said Smith.
Within the school, Smith is a member of the Free the Children Club and the ski racing team (which earned a third place win at CWOSSA this year), and has been a Link leader since grade 10, helping grade 9 students get used life at the high school.
Outside of school, Smith plays provincial ringette with the U-19 A Guelph Predators and is involved with a mission group. To top it off, Smith works at the Fergus-Elora tourism office.
Smith said, “It’s really important to have a great strong community of people who are organizing things.”
Each year, the Centre Wellington parks and recreation department sponsors the Alvin Shortt Award, which recognizes outstanding youth (25 and under) within Centre Wellington.
The individual must maintain a high level of proficiency in their activity while at the same time volunteering and giving back to the community of Centre Wellington.
Leadership, Sportsmanship, education and work ethic are major factors in deciding who wins the award.
The award is open to a youth involved in any Centre Wellington community group, (including secondary schools serving the youth of Centre Wellington), sport group, and/or organization that wish to recognize the outstanding achievements of a local youth by nominating him or her.
Nominated by Linda Adams, Smith’s list of activities and accomplishments would tire most people out.
Leadership
In her leadership activities, Smith has filled the following roles:
– community services advisory committee youth member;
– Free The Children: community outreach representative, planning the club’s Hunger Banquet;
– volunteer leader: Vacation Bible Camp, Elora Fergus Ringette Camp and Learn to Skate for the Elora Fergus Ringette Association;
– KnECT, including leader for the 2014 mission to Nicaragua; and
– 2013 to 2016 Link crew leader encouraging new grade nine students to be involved in the school community and leading tours of the school for grade eight and nine student as well as their parents.
From 2013 to 2016, Smith has been part of the CWDHS ski racing team and this year served as captain of the female race team.
The team placed 3rd in the school’s division and first overall when combined with the CWDHS male team.
Over the past seven years, Smith has been highly involved with the local ringette community as a player, coach and ref for both the Elora-Fergus and Guelph associations.
In grade 9, she joined players from Elora, Fergus and Owen Sound and played in a Scandinavian tour through Finland and Sweden.
Education
At the same time, Smith is described in Adams’ letter of nomination as “a dedicated CWDHS student.”
As Smith’s summer co-op teacher, Adams observed Smith working above and beyond classroom expectations and readily volunteering to help other students or assist in teaching/demonstrating work habits, customer service and other important classroom or career skills.
At high school, Smith received early acceptances to five post-secondary programs. She has accepted an offer to the University of Windsor aeronautics leadership program, a four-year bachelor of arts that includes private and commercial pilot’s licences, and class one instrument ratings. Her university minor will be French.
In a letter of support, Joan Munn stated, “I have known Bianca her whole life. She has always been mature for her age. She seems very aware of people around her and reaches out to help in any way she can. An example this is Bianca’s (Knox Team) group Managua, Nicaragua.”
Munn adds, “One thing I value with Bianca is she follows through. If she signs up to do anything, you know she will be there.”
Jennifer Marfleet added, “I have had the great pleasure of knowing Bianca for her entire life! She is a wonderful, generous young lady and lives her life with intention, motivation and excellence.
“Bianca truly cares for her community … and wants to help others … She has given much back to … Centre Wellington and communities in Nicaragua. I know she is involved in many other important endeavours in our community.”
