GUELPH – Kadence Stephenson and Norah Hawkins have received VIP awards from the Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB).
Stephenson is a student at Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School in Rockwood and Hawkins is a student at St. John Catholic Elementary School in Arthur.
Trustees presented them with the awards during a board meeting on May 5 at the Catholic Education Centre in Guelph.
One student from every WCDSB school is selected to receive the award each school year, to acknowledge the significant contributions they have made to their school communities.
Teachers and principals at their schools compile write-ups about each of the winners, describing their contributions, and these write-ups are read by trustees during the meeting.
Kadence Stephenson
Trustee Cassandra O’Donnell presented Stephenson with her VIP award.
“From the moment you meet Kadence, you can tell that she would have a profound and positive impact on our community,” O’Donnell read.
“Her enthusiasm and dedication are evident in everything she does, and she has a remarkable ability to get involved and organize anything and everything.”
Stephenson is Sacred Heart’s lead ambassador and plans school events, leads initiatives and fosters a sense of community at her school, officials say.
Kadence Stephenson stands with her teacher, Matteo Caruso, left, and Rockwood’s Sacred Heart Catholic Elementary School principal Michelle Nagy, right.
She is described as wise beyond her years, dedicated, creative and a strong leader who “sets high standards for herself and works diligently to achieve them.”
Stephenson’s teachers call her a beacon of positivity and say she made a lasting impact on the school.
“She consistently looks out for everyone around her, offering support and guidance wherever needed,” her teachers state.
“Her compassionate nature and willingness to assist make her a trusted and beloved figure within our school.”
Norah Hawkins
“Norah is one of the kindest students to ever walk the halls of St. John Arthur,” read trustee Sebastian Dal Bo from the award write-up about Hawkins.
“In a world that often moves too fast, Norah moves with compassion,” her teachers state.
They say she shows empathy through offering a smile, helping hand and words of encouragement when her peers are in need.
Trustee Sebastian Dal Bo presents Arthur student Norah Hawkins with a VIP award during a Wellington Catholic District School Board meeting on May 5. Photo by Robin George
“Academically, Norah is driven, curious and focused. She approaches learning not just as a task, but as a joy,” asking thoughtful questions and sharing innovative ideas, teachers say.
Hawkins is an athlete and an artist who lives “with balance: mind, body, heart and spirit in harmony,” not only succeeding but encouraging others to succeed, too.
“Today, we don’t just celebrate Norah’s achievements,” Dal Bo read. “We celebrate her character, her light and the way she has made our school, our community, and our lives better simply by being herself.”
Hawkins’ teachers finished off with a message for her: “Keep dreaming, keep leading, keep being you. The world needs exactly what you have to offer.”
