Three county students lauded as VIPs

GUELPH – Arthur’s Cierra Vervoort, Mount Forest’s Laylee Black and Rockwood’s Maya Penner are in the spotlight for the significant contributions they make to their school communities. 

The Wellington Catholic District School Board celebrated the students, who were selected for VIP awards, during a May 4 board meeting. 

Cierra Vervoort

At St. John Catholic School in Arthur, staff say Vervoort “truly represents perseverance, kindness and community spirit.” 

She meets math challenges with a growth mindset, volunteers to read morning announcements at school, participates in liturgies and Mass, helps out with kindergarten students and shows cows at agricultural fairs.  

Trustee Joe Tersigni presented Vervoort with the award and read a testament from her teachers about why she was selected. 

“She is a quiet but powerful example of what it means to lead with faith in action,” the write-up states, and “she treats others each day with compassion, humility and a genuine desire to serve.”

And Vervoort is funny, too, sharing “unforgettable stories like the one about eating an unruly goat for dinner,” St. John staff say.  

Laylee Black 

Trustee Andrew Finoro said it was “an honour and privilege to read” what St. Mary Catholic School staff wrote about Black. 

The Grade 8 student embraces every opportunity that comes her way, playing for each of the Mount Forest school’s sports teams, serving as a Special Olympics peer coach, organizing school events and spirit days, performing in theatre productions and working towards earning her hunting license. 

“She also enjoys dancing, drawing, baking and playing baseball, and values spending time with her mom.” 

Black’s teachers say she “approaches everything with a smile and a can-do attitude. 

“Her kindness, helpfulness, respectful nature and bubbly personality make her a standout student and a true role model within the St. Mary community,” they say. 

Maya Penner

Sacred Heart Catholic School staff say Penner “is a student who truly believes, belongs and acts extraordinarily.” 

She is “profoundly humble” despite consistently achieving high grades, is always ready to offer support to her peers, plays soccer and badminton, leads morning announcements and champions causes including Indigenous awareness, anti-bullying, Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Sacred Heart staff say.

“She approaches her studies with a level of critical thinking that transcends standard expectations, always seeking a deeper understanding of the ‘why’ behind the ‘what.’”  

Trustee Cassanda O’Donnell presented Penner the award and said her own daughter, in kindergarten at the Rockwood school, said “‘Maya is very nice and reads nice books to me.’” 

Staff say Penner’s “presence ensures that our school feels like a home.” 

“Whether she is in the classroom, on the field, or behind the microphone, she carries herself with an unmistakable grace and a constant smile.”