Portage, DSFM, River East-Transcona, Seven Oaks and Winnipeg students to receive awards
Courage, compassion and humility are in the spotlight as the Manitoba Teachers’ Society announces the 2020 MTS Young Humanitarian Awards recipients. This year’s winners come from Portage, DSFM, River East-Transcona, Seven Oaks and Winnipeg school divisions.
“‎We can’t say enough about these bold and compassionate students—and the teachers and parents who mentor them,” says James Bedford, President of The Manitoba Teachers’ Society. “They have beautiful humanitarian hearts and truly represent the good in public school students all across Manitoba.”
Jessica Kakeeway-Catcheway
Caring comes naturally to Jessica Kakeeway-Catcheway, a Grade 4 student from John Pritchard School. Jessica is always looking for ways to serve others. For example, she was inspired by a unit on the United Nations’ Goals for Sustainability, focusing specifically on zero poverty and zero hunger – two huge national issues. She asked if she could raise money to support the school’s breakfast program knowing that having a good breakfast can make or break a child’s ability to learn during the school day. Through her consistent hard work, selfless acts and leadership skills, Jessica and her classmates raised $300 to directly benefit students who rely on the schools’ breakfast program.
Dev Ambaram-Barth
Fourteen-year-old Dev Ambaram-Barth has big fans, all right. His teachers at Arthur E. Wright Community school, residents at Maples Personal Care Home and a group of patients at Deer Lodge Centre just can’t say enough about him. You could call Dev a one-person recreation director and you wouldn’t be wrong. But he’s so much more that. He’s a story-teller, a caring friend and a confidant with a genuine heart for making connections with seniors. He’s invested well over 100 hours in this work and residents immediate gravitate to his groups. One senior who was wary of joining, eventually did. Over time, he came out of his shell completely. His wife said the transformation was remarkable.
Jacinda Houle
Jacinda Houle, a 16-year-old student at Portage Collegiate Institute, has been an ardent promoter of Indigenous dance and culture since Grade 9. She’s been a pow-wow dancer since she was eight. This young woman is completely invested in the school and Portage community. She’s the first one to raise her hand when teachers or students need help, and she’s a strong believer in teaching reconciliation. A member of the First Nation Leadership Group at the Collegiate, Jacinda runs dance groups at North Memorial School and Fort la Reine School. Wherever she teaches culture and dance, her non-Indigenous students outnumber the Indigenous students.
Manitoba Youth for Climate Action
Iona Taylor (Collège Louis-Riel), Courtney Tosh (Miles Macdonell) and Sunny Enkin Lewis (Grant Park High School) organized last September’s huge Rally for Climate Change at the Manitoba Legislature. These three passionate and articulate students who head Manitoba Students for Climate Action absolutely outdid themselves. The rally and march count as the largest Winnipeg has seen since the 1919 General Strike. The media coverage was outstanding. And their ability to mobilize a multi-age crowd of over 15,000 is worthy of kudos alone. They are not afraid to defend the cause of educating students and adults on climate change in school, on the ground or in the community. Plans for a second rally in April were put on hold due to the pandemic.