Catholic school board lauds VIP students

GUELPH  – Special students are lauded monthly at each Wellington Catholic District School Board meeting, and chair Vikki Dupuis always calls it the highlight of the evening. 

A VIP student is selected from each of the schools in the board, and teachers, principals and other school staff compile write-ups together highlighting the students’ contributions to their school communities.

During an April 7 meeting the board recognized three VIP students: Marissa Wilson from St. Joseph Catholic School in Fergus, Anya Trussell from St. Mary Catholic School in Elora and Nora Madden from St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School in Guelph.

Marissa Wilson

St. Joseph staff noted Wilson’s consistent respect, critical thinking skills and genuine empathy. 

“Marissa is the first to volunteer to help anyone in our school community” and is a leader on student council, delivers lunches and helps with the snack program, they continue. 

“Daily, Marissa checks in on the well-being of not only her friends but all of the school staff, showing genuine care and interest in the lives of those around her.” 

She is an active participant in classroom discussions and collaborative projects, and embraces all of her classmates with open arms. 

“She is a motivated, conscientious, resilient student who works diligently to achieve her goals.”  

Anya Trussell

St. Mary staff say Trussell shows them daily that “leadership is not about being the loudest voice in the room, but about kindness, commitment and compassion.”

She has worked as a kindergarten helper for three years, and “consistently greets each child with genuine warmth ... [and] helps every child feel seen, valued and appreciated.” 

Trussell excels academically and plays on the school’s soccer, volleyball and basketball teams, they add.  

She also contributes to the school leadership team and staff say “her patience, caring attitude and boundless positivity make her an outstanding role model for all students.”

Nora Madden

St. Ignatius staff say Madden “leads through service and integrity,”noting she seeks out opportunities to help instead of waiting for them to fall in her lap. 

“Whether she is tending to our environment with the Green Team or sharing her musical talents in Band Club,   her presence is felt everywhere.” 

Academically, Madden works hard and completes assignments to a high standard, while balancing numerous extra curricular activities, officials say. 

But what truly sets her apart is her classroom leadership, they add, noting, “She has a natural ability to keep her peers on track and is always looking for ways to be involved, helping both staff and students with anything they need.”