Two Barrhead Elementary School (BES) students ended their year on a special note by winning the Pembina Hills Public School’s (PHPS) Citizenship Award.
On Tuesday, June 28, Tim Mourits, and Keara Cramer, both in Grade 6, received the school division’s Citizenship Award from PHPS Barrhead trustee Judy Lefebvre during the school’s year-end assembly.
Lefebvre said at the end of every school year the division awards its Citizenship Award to a student(s), usually a student who is in their last year at the school, who exemplify outstanding citizenship both at school and in public at large.
The award recipients are selected by a committee of teachers in the school.
Due to the number of students at BES and because of the many outstanding citizens there are at the school Lefebvre said the committee couldn’t choose just one student.
Tim Mourits
“This student is very dedicated and does the very best he can in all he does,” Lefebvre said reading comments about Mourits from the selection committee. “His willingness to help during class activities, help build shelves whenever needed and help his fellow students make him a pleasure to have in class.”
When Mourits is not in school he keeps busy playing hockey and being a member of the Barrhead 4-H Club.
She said despite how busy Mourits is with all his extracurricular activities he still manages to keep school a priority.
“He has a great sense of humour and presence that makes people want to be around him and he has shown great compassion towards others when they need help,” Lefebvre said continuing to read comments from the committee.
Keara Cramer
People skills and compassion were the two qualities the committee put on the top of the list when describing the school’s other winner.
“She is a polite, friendly, respectful, charismatic individual who always puts forward her best effort and makes positive choices and shows kindness and empathy to all those around her,” Lefebvre said. “She has the people and social skills to make all those around her feel like the most important people in the world.”
An example the committee gave is Cramer’s ability to connect with Barrhead Continuing Care Centre (also known as the W.R. Keir Care Centre) residents through the school’s intergenerational program. Through the program, Grade 6 students interact with the care centre residents on a one-on-one basis with their Keir Care Centre buddy and as a group.
Lefebvre added Cramer has shown the same ability to interact with those younger than her as shown in her participation with her Grade 3 reading buddy.
In addition to her school activities, Cramer is also an active participant in the Little Rocks Junior Curling program and finds time to help out on her family’s buffalo farm.
“Congratulations to both these students,” Lefebvre concluded, adding it was an honour to be able to present them with the PHPS Citizenship award.
