Fergus student Charis Alabi receives Ovation Award from school board
Nine-year-old's book 'encourages children to be kind ... and to stand up for what’s right'
FERGUS – One of Fergus’ youngest authors has been recognized with an award from her school board.
Charis Alabi, a nine-year-old student at JD Hogarth Public School, has received an Ovation Award from the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB).
UG Ovation is a new award program that celebrates outstanding achievements of students and staff across the board.
Alabi wrote and self-published a motivational picture book titled In a World Where You Can Be Anything, Be Kind.
“She began writing at the age of seven, stapling pages together herself, inspired by a message in her Grade 1 agenda about kindness,” said UGDSB CEO Peter Sovran during a May 26 board meeting.
“Her book encourages children to be kind, brave and curious and to stand up for what’s right.”
Alabi has been visiting elementary schools across Centre Wellington to share her book and its inspirational messages with young readers, including at John Black, Victoria Terrace, James McQueen, Grand River, Salem and Elora public schools.
Her book is available at libraries in Fergus, Guelph, Orangeville and Kitchener, as well as Magic Pebble Books and Cordial Clove in Elora and Booklore in Orangeville.
She has received certificates of recognition from Wellington Halton-Hills MP Michael Chong and MPP Joseph Racinsky.
Every Friday and Saturday, Alabi sits down to work on her next project: a chapter book.
Her long-term dream is to help people by becoming a doctor.
