The Upper Grand District School Board has announced the winners of its 2011 Everyday Hero awards.
The annual awards, now four years old, celebrate the unsung heroes of the school system who go out of their way to make a difference in the lives and learning of students. The program is sponsored by the board’s trustees.
The presentation was held on, June 1 at John F. Ross Collegiate Vocational Institute in Guelph.
There was one winner from Wellington County this year.
Mark Howlett, a caretaker and volunteer at Centre Wellington District High School in Fergus was saluted by the trustees.
The criteria for the awards are:
– performance of duties at a high level at all times;
– a significant school or system-related achievement;
– a specific innovation or achievement of significant value or importance to the system; and
– a unique circumstance considered worthy of recognition by the board.
Candidates may be nominated by their colleagues, students, parents, or other system partners. The board received a total of 20 nominations this year.
Howlett was presented his award by trustee David Gohn, who cited his work with the students.
He said Howlett has given the greatest gift anyone could give another person – he believes in his wrestlers. He has taken all the different pieces and personalities and has built them into a working team. He has spent endless hours building up their strengths and minimizing their weaknesses.
His hard work and dedication has inspired the wrestlers to become more than they ever dreamed they could be. Howlett pushed the kids to their limits and beyond, and has not only inspired them to be a better athlete, but a better person. He gives the encouragement the wrestlers need to believe in themselves, and discipline has resulted in victory time after time.
Gohn said “Mark can always see, not what a child is, but what they can become. Mark has a way of finding and capitalizing on each wrestler’s potential and strengths and boosts the student’s self-esteem.
“Mark is more than just a coach; he is a positive role model. Mark leads by example and has instilled dedication, determination and confidence in the students, allowing them to do the best they possibly can. Mark’s wisdom and leadership is an inspiration, not only to the wrestlers but to the parents as well.”
