UGDSB announces 2020-21 ‘Everyday Heroes’

GUELPH – Over the past year, many Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) staff, students, community members and volunteers continued to go above and beyond to support local schools and communities.

On April 20, the UGDSB announced the Everyday Heroes of the 2020-21 school year.

The Everyday Hero Awards Selection Committee chose 13 finalists from a large group of deserving nominees.

This year’s Everyday Hero Awards recipients include dedicated school and board staff, a bus driver, student groups and volunteers.

The winners are:

  • Amanda Dawson, Volunteer/Morning Greeter, Mitchell Woods PS;
  • CDDHS Black Chapter Student Group (Mya, Harshreet, Shania, Janine, Torya, Ashanti, Danielle-Nustrat, Jahmeil, Michael, Mercedez, Addison, Azaria, Deana, Jaden, Ranjit, Alexis, Myrissa, Tiara, Jeniah, Aminah, Doreen, Devaun, Janique, Divita, Shereka, Selena, Jahniya, Rayna, Ashana, Gabrielle, Asonya, Britney, Holly), Students, Centre Dufferin DHS;
  • Elementary Remote School Administration Team (Mike Anderson, Alan Gouk, Jen Apgar, Blayne Primeau, Emma Reay, Amy Cliff, Nia Pommier and Elise Benallick), Staff team;
  • Garry Willfang, Bus Driver, Ponsonby;
  • Grace and Mark Evans, Volunteers/Breakfast Coordinators, Guelph CVI;
  • Katelyn Charbonneau, Child and Youth Counsellor, Centennial Hylands ES;
  • Leigha Turner, Teacher, Orangeville District SS;
  • Ross Watson, Teacher, Erin DHS;
  • Tammy Grieco, Educational Assistant, College Heights SS;
  • The Den Life Skills class (Dave Griffiths, Greg Senyshyn, Karl Baber, Heather Reed, Christine Chambers, Dorothy Dunbar, Kim Uhrig, Joanne Parish, Brinley, Austin, Nicholas, Alex, Eric, Justin, Pierce and Landon), Staff and students, Wellington Heights SS;
  • Tim King, Teacher, Centre Wellington DHS;
  • UGDSB Health and Safety Team (Nancy Culham, Natalie Ford, Melissa Cranley, Alison Kay), Staff team; and
  • UGDSB Payroll Department (Sherry Pirico, Lange Frosst, Krista McNaught, Amy Carter), staff team.

The criteria for the annual awards are:

  • performance 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; or
  • a unique circumstance worthy of recognition by the board.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year recipients will be honoured through a virtual ceremony.

The ceremony will premiere May 10 at 7pm.

Anyone can access the ceremony by visiting: https://vimeo.com/ugstream.