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Student Excellence Awards

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​A textured background with a star burst with the words Celebration of Student Excellence

The virtual HDSB Celebration of Student Excellence event occurred on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 7 p.m. to recognize this year's Student Excellence recipients.

The event honored 108 outstanding students who were recipients of this year's Student Excellence Award. Each year, elementary and secondary schools in the HDSB nominated one student per school for this recognition. Students could only receive this honor once in their school career. The event had been a Board tradition since 1984.

The nominations for these outstanding students cited qualities such as striving for excellence, a positive attitude, honesty, integrity, being empathetic to others, involvement in the community, and inclusivity.​

​Read below to learn about the 2023 Student Excellence Award Recipients

Burlington
​Elementary Students 
​

​​Andrew Wraight​​​  Aldershot Elementary School Andrew Wraight​​​ 
Aldershot Elementary School 
Grade 8​

This year’s Student of Excellence is a quiet leader both in and outside the classroom. They are an amazing athlete who has been on all sports teams, is extremely coachable, and is a supportive team player. In the classroom, their exemplary learning skills have helped them be successful in all their subjects. They are a good friend to everyone, are respectful to peers and staff, and always have a positive attitude. They are a great role model for others in the school, and will take risks with their learning.


Katelyn O'Donovan-Bentham​​​
Alexander's Public School 
Grade 8

Katelyn is a wonderful all around leader at our school. She is involved in every team, club and activity that is offered at the school. Katelyn is a kind and caring role model for the younger students. She is always the first one to offer to help out her peers or her teachers. Katelyn has excellent learning skills and strives to do well academically in all of her subject areas. We are so proud of Katelyn and the integral role she plays at our school. She exudes the Alexander’s PS spirit in all that she does. ​ ​​​


Thisari Dilenya Dampe ​​​
Alton Village Public School 
Grade 8

Dilenya is a respectful, kind, and caring student, who is empathetic toward others. Her mature work ethic, responsible behaviour and positive growth mindset provides leadership by example. She consistently puts tremendous effort into all of her class work and is always looking for opportunities to think outside the box. She values inclusivity and ensures that all members of her group are included and respected. Dilenya goes out of her way to create a positive classroom environment and puts a lot of thought into her contributions to class and group discussions. Understanding the importance of hard work, kindness, respect, dedication and self-reflection, she displays honesty and integrity in her daily interactions with teachers and peers, and goes out of her comfort zone to try new things. A well-rounded student, Dilenya tries her best in all aspects of school and takes on leadership roles and volunteers to contribute to her school community, both in and out of the classroom including Student Leadership and sports clubs. ​​
Andrew Judd​​
Brant Hills Public School 
Grade 8

Andrew is a student who embodies the school motto, “Learn, Dream, Belong, Inspire” on a daily basis. He works hard at his academics and sets a positive example in the classroom as someone who embraces a challenge, especially when it comes to math class. Andrew is also a leader from captain of the Volleyball team, a member of the basketball team, coaching junior volleyball, to how he works collaboratively in a group. Andrew is a student who can amplify the people around him, and lead others toward achieving their goals. Ask anyone who knows him - Andrew is as positive and optimistic as they come. His sense of humour and general commentary always uplifts our school community. ​
Saanvi Singh​​
Bruce T. Lindley Public School 
Grade 6

Saanvi consistently demonstrates to be a kind, respectful, helpful, responsible, inclusive and a positive student. Saanvi is actively involved in our school as a student ambassador, student voice, nutrition program leader, and morning announcer to name a few. Academically, Saanvi maintains high levels of achievement in all subject areas, consistently demonstrating strong understanding of the curriculum through assessments, group collaboration, performance tasks and learning skills. All around, Saanvi truly exemplifies the qualities and attributes for a student of excellence both in and out of the classroom.​​

Aiden Osorio​
Burlington Central Elementary School 
Grade 8

Aiden is kind, considerate, helpful and a dedicated and hard worker. He gets involved in the school community through co-curricular activites and demonstrates leadership skills on each of these teams. This year, Aiden has been a leader on the school's flag football team and the captain of the intermediate boys' basketball team. He is able to see the bigger picture in his critical thinking, and he is the first to offer thanks or comfort to both peers and staff members. Aiden demonstrates a quiet but very strong leadership that resonates throughout our intermediate community at Burlington Central.​
Liya Zhou​​​
C.H. Norton Public School 
Grade 8

Liya is a highly motivated and highly able student. She consistently seeks ways to go above and beyond the expectations in all subject areas. For example, Liya created an incredible Unlearn poster focused on the issue of access to healthcare. She easily finds ways to incorporate her interests (such as visual arts) into her work. Liya is well connected to the CH Norton School Community, and part of the Student Leadership Team, Cross Country Team, Badminton Team and Concert Band. An excellent representative of CH Norton, Liya sets, and models, the example for all other students to follow. ​
Gandom Abbasnejad Matikolaei​​
Central Public School 
Grade 6

Since joining Central, Gandom has become an active part of our school community both inside and outside the classroom. She is a positive leader, who is open–minded and welcomes a variety of voices and perspectives. Inquisitive and committed to her education, she works collaboratively with peers and staff. Gandom embraces a Growth Mindset philosophy by venturing out of her comfort zone and welcoming all learning opportunities. She appreciates and uses feedback and challenges to grow, and is always cheering for her peers' successes. Gandom is a kind and caring student, always looking for ways to make Central an even better place to learn and grow. Although this is her final year as a Central student, her positive contributions will be felt in the years to come.​
Ishita Malhotra​​​
Charles R. Beaudoin Public School 
Grade 8

Throughout her time at CRB, Ishita has been involved in all areas of school life, from the arts to athletics to leadership roles in the Wellness and Equity team. Ishita is a well rounded student who approaches all learning opportunities with a positive attitude. She consistently looks for ways to engage in her learning and takes on new challenges whether it be playing any position in soccer, leading assemblies, or developing an original Science fair project. She regularly puts others first, looking for ways to help others in need both in the classroom and in the larger school community. Ishita’s determination and drive to be successful is evident in her academic achievements, athletic successes and leadership skills.​
​
​Sidhakdeep Kaur​
Clarksdale Public School 
Grade 6

Sidhakdeep is a very responsible learner who displays a positive attitude toward learning and strives for excellence in all subjects. Always giving her all, she arrives at school each day, smiling, happy to be here learning and always greets peers and adults with a kind word. Sidhakdeep is an active member of the school community - always looking for ways to get involved and help others. Sidhakdeep is part of the Wolf-Pack Leadership group, she is a kind kindergarten helper, and a member of the athletic council. Beyond that, she volunteers her time to connect with the larger community by helping at the Newcomer Coffee Chat, offering her time to share her knowledge by hosting Google demonstrations for students, reading to other students during multi-language story time, and taking on the role of DJ at the school Dance-a-thon. Sidhakdeep is a very self-aware student, who takes on initiative to look for ways to constantly improve her work and learning and looks for ways to challenge herself. ​
Presley Kritzer​​
Dr. Charles Best Public School 
Grade 5

Presley provides an authentic example of citizenship and student leadership at Dr. Charles Best PS. This has been part of her personality for years and will certainly continue as she moves forward to Grade 6. She goes above and beyond in all her interactions with peers, adults and guests who come to our school, and spends numerous hours fully engaged with peers who might need extra connections. Presley participates in all activities and clubs offered at the school. She's kind, caring, and hard-work​ing and is truly a difference-maker. ​
Sophia Borjas​​
Florence Meares Public School 
Grade 8

Sophia is a highly committed member of the Florence Meares community. As part of Student Leadership, she regularly hosts our morning announcements, organizes spirit days and brings awareness to our community around mental health, environmental and indigenous issues. As a member of the Social Justice Team, she has led a number of initiatives including a successful food drive. She is a proud member of the Girls Senior Basketball team, supports our intramural programs and assists managing the school's recess sports equipment. She is a very dedicated student, achieving strong academic results while maintaining excellent learning skills.​​​
Maha Ali​
Frontenac Public School
Grade 8

Maha constantly strives for excellence in all that she does. Apart from the incredibly high academic standards she sets for herself, Maha has devoted herself to improving the school community. She has involved herself in an impressive variety of extracurriculars that range from Student Senate, Newspaper Club, multiple sports teams, and absolutely everything in between. Maha has also started her own debate club at Frontenac to encourage the discussion of important issues that have a direct impact on students. Maha is incredibly deserving of this distinction for all of the incredible skills and values that she exhibits every day. ​​
Sara Forbes​​
Glenview Public School 
Grade 6

When Sara isn’t swimming with GHAC, shushing down the Glen Eden ski hills or adventure racing with her Dad, she can be found hanging out with her friends and family. While at school, Sara is a dedicated and hard working member of the Glenview community. Her involvement in the many clubs and teams at Glenview over the years, make Sara a well rounded student in both citizenship, academics and extracurriculars. She demonstrated great initiative by starting a Nature Club in Grade 5, getting involved in volleyball and cross country teams and as a dedicated lunch monitor. She strives for excellence in all academic areas and is a positive leader in the classroom. Sara’s natural curiosity for learning is evident in all areas of the curriculum. Willing to step out of her comfort zone and enthusiastically take on the lead role in class, she displays excellent leadership skills that make her a valuable partner and group leader. Sara’s future goals are to own a bakery and become a teacher. These career choices encompass her creativity and her thoughtful way she is with others. ​
Taylor Adams​​
John T. Tuck Public School 
Grade 8

Taylor is not only a leader amongst her peers in Grade 8, but also for students in the younger grades. As an active member of the leadership team, she helped identify and spearhead areas for improvement at John T. Tuck. A natural athlete, she embodies the true spirit of sportsmanship with her positive attitude on numerous teams. In the classroom, her positive energy is contagious and reflects in her academic success. ​​​


Rachael Keenan​​​
John William Boich Public School 
Grade 8

Rachael is an incredible role model for everyone at John William Boich PS. She is engaged in the classroom, always respects rules and expectations, and she works extremely well with everyone. Inclusive and considerate, Rachel is very involved in her school and she loves being a Jaguar. She is a vibrant individual whose positive energy, willingness to support those around her, and quiet way of making a difference has had an incredible impact throughout her years at school. She is that person who will see a peer who needs help and, without any hesitation, be there to assist. As a learner, she worked tirelessly to challenge herself, taking notes, doing additional research, and always giving her very best. Nothing she does is for any sort of recognition but quite simply because she truly cares about making each day better.​​
Katelyn Barnard​​
Kilbride Public School 
Grade 8

Katelyn is an extremely outgoing, upbeat and personable individual who demonstrates respect and caring for every member of the Kilbride community. Her academic drive and determination have catapulted her learning and performance in all subject areas. Katelyn is an active member of the Grade 8 Leadership Team and has taken on many school initiatives including spirit days, announcements, fundraisers, contests, assemblies and play days. She is also a sports enthusiast and participated on many Kilbride teams including cross country, volleyball and flag football. Katelyn is an active member of the drama club and welcomes public speaking and formal presentations. She always seeks out additional leadership opportunities and enjoys working with younger students, such as helping coach the junior girls volleyball team. Katelyn is the Student Senate representative and takes her role very seriously. Overall, Katelyn embodies the spirit of Kilbride and always tries to be kind, do her job and make a difference. ​​
Shaneika Robinson​
King's Road Public School 
Grade 6

Shaneika has been selected as this year's Student of Excellence Recipient because of her positive attitude, strong leadership skills and dedication to making King’s Road an inclusive environment. Shaneika strives for excellence in all subject areas and is willing to help in any way she can. Within the school, Shaneika is an active member of Student Voice and school athletics. She takes on various leadership roles such as announcements, filling snack bins, delivering pizza, planning special events and much more. Each day, Shaneika comes to school with a wide smile on her face and is caring towards everyone she meets throughout the day. Her positive attitude and kind nature sets a wonderful example for her peers and makes her a deserving recipient of this year’s award.​


Olivia Pepler​​ 
Lakeshore Public School ​
Grade 6

Olivia is an exemplary role model for her peers. She approaches all learning opportunities with a high degree of enthusiasm, passion, and curiosity. A highly motivated, self-directed learner, she diligently strives for excellence in everything she does. She demonstrates a superior degree of creativity, artistic ability, athletic prowess, and academic performance. When presented with a challenge, Olivia displays perseverance, flexibility, innovation, and superior problem-solving skills. Her unfailingly cheerful disposition and positive outlook have had a positive impact on her peers and the learning environment in her classroom. Olivia displays empathy and sensitivity towards others and offers her expertise, support, and encouragement when needed. She is an active participant in many clubs and teams, and regularly volunteers around the school. ​
​​Tuong Vi Dao​ 
Makwendam Public School​ 
Grade 6

Melody is the true embodiment of all of the characteristics of a student of excellence. In her time at Makwendam, she has demonstrated to her peers and educators that she is a sincere, kind, honest, hardworking and dedicated student who stands out as a leader in the classroom and in the Makwendam community. Showing a genuine passion and interest for learning, she is particularly passionate about writing and visual arts. She created a poetic and moving photo essay on the Biodiversity of a mythological world. Melody has a strong work ethic and is a compassionate and creative student. She always puts forth her best effort, regardless of the subject area, and perseveres with great success in every challenge. Melody takes pride in her Vietnamese heritage. During our school wide Lunar New Year celebration, she prepared a traditional Vietnamese cuisine, from scratch, for the class to enjoy. She also proudly educated the students on the traditions behind it. Melody plays an integral role in building culture and community at the school level, demonstrating responsibility and thoughtfulness in all that she takes on. Melody goes above and beyond to advocate for herself and others and is consistently acting as a role model for her peers.
Shevaan Samarasinghe​
Maplehurst Public School 
Grade 6​

Every year at Maplehurst, Shevaan demonstrates compassion for his peers, engages in many school based and extra-curricular activities and always puts forth his best effort in academic endeavours. He is a leader within his peer group, who quietly models good behaviour, and includes everyone.​
​

Elora York​
Mohawk Gardens Public School 
Grade 6

Elora is dependable, accepting, well rounded in academics and extracurricular, team player, inclusive, encourages others, and takes initiative to solve problems on her own. She has shown evidence of growth both academically and socially and is kind hearted and accommodating. ​



Kayleigh Davidson​ 
Orchard Park Public School 
Grade 8​

Over the past few years, Kayleigh has demonstrated incredible growth and development both socially and academically. She has prioritized her responsibilities and focused on leadership, caring about her community, and the environment. Kayleigh recognizes the importance of hard work and perseverance. Her attention to detail and enthusiasm for learning is contagious. She is inclusive, equitable and kind to her classmates. Kayleigh is actively involved in the Orchard Park community through her involvement in clubs such as Leadership, Equity, and Wellness. Her strong work ethic and determination has enabled her to meet many personal goals. As an advocate for her classmates and role model of Orchard Park’s core values, Kayleigh is truly deserving of this honour. ​​

Georgia Howard​
Paul A. Fisher Public School 
Grade 6

Georgia volunteers and perseveres in various aspects of school life. She works very hard on all her tasks, tries hard and asks for help when she needs it. She shows a wonderful sense of community by volunteering for events around the school, volunteering to help in many situations. Polite, kind and friendly to all peers, Georgia is diligent in her schoolwork. With a positive attitude toward learning, she participates in athletics in and out of school, showing herself to be a good sportsperson.​

Florence Powell​​
Pauline Johnson Public School 
Grade 6

Florence is one of Pauline Johnson’s most positive and well rounded students. Her teachers describe her as a creative and loving individual who works equally well with any group across all subjects. She is a kind and thoughtful leader in our school community. In whatever project Florence embarks on, be it academically, athletically, or in her volunteer work, she gives nothing but her best effort, every time. In her role as guardian and chief caregiver of our adopted school pet fish, Florence demonstrates our school’s core values - courage, caring and collaboration. She is a shining example of the type of person our world needs more of. ​


Raia Vallabhaneni​
Pineland Public School 
Grade 8

Raia demonstrates leadership within the school and community. She is actively involved in Pineland's Student Council and is involved in the Board Equity Committee. Raia has been dedicated to Boardwide initiatives in her involvement as a Student Senator on the HDSB Student Senate Committee. Raia excels in academics and is highly involved in many extracurricular activities and leadership initiatives including Junk Drawer, Jazz Band, Grade 8 Band, supporting the Primary Concert, MC at the Band Concert, intramurals, and more. ​​
Nathan Campbell​​
Rolling Meadows Public School 
Grade 8

Nathan is an intelligent, athletic, and confident student who brings a smile to everyone’s face. As a leader in the classroom, he has earned the admiration and respect of his peers. His academic intelligence and commitment to school work are complemented by his kind heart and his inclusivity toward everyone. He treats his peers and teachers with kindness and respect, while always lifting others up around him. His confidence is exemplified by his strong voice in classroom discussions and readiness to take on new challenges. Nathan seeks out leadership roles within the school including creating the Eco Club and being part of many sports teams this year. His passion for learning and challenging himself is demonstrated daily in his work ethic and positive attitude. Nathan is an all-around fantastic student who represents excellence in education.​ ​
Jacob Emerson​​
Sir Ernest MacMillan Public School 
Grade 8

Jacob is a silent leader here at Sir Ernest MacMillan who is always promoting kindness and inclusivity all while demonstrating his patience and resiliency. Jacob returned to in-school learning and had an immediate impact with his fellow peers. Leading through his work on the leadership team and in class, Jacob is making a difference at the school. He works closely with peers and teachers to research and bring in various presenters to the school whom can share important messages (ie. The Saidat Show). Along with Jacob's contributions to his school community, he is a competitive figure skater. Jacob balances the busyness of school and skating extremely well and excels at both. Jacob is the embodiment of what it means to be a Mustang.​
Phoebe-Kate Balasadas​​
Tecumseh Public School 
Grade 8

Phoebe has demonstrated so much strength, initiative and perseverance this year. Not only does Phoebe excel in her academics but she is kind, helpful, engaging and involved in all aspects of school. Phoebe is so deserving of this recognition - she is Tecumseh’s humble superstar. ​


Abbey Vasil​​
Tom Thomson Public School 
Grade 6

Abbey is a hard-working student who takes ownership of her learning and works with focus and integrity. She listens to and leads others with kindness and compassion. She is cooperative and kind in her approach to group work and leadership. She demonstrates excellent initiative, always checking in with herself and with her teachers to see how she can go further in her academics and how she can support her school and her community. Abbey has taken on a leadership role, running the school food drive and creating Mindful Monday announcements to support mental health initiatives. Abbey is also a very athletic member in our community as she is on the Burlington Rep Softball team and Tom Thomson’s volleyball team. An advocate for social change, a champion of human rights and a voice for environmental stewardship, she uses her voice to uplift others and to lead the way toward positive change.​​
​Secondary Students 
​

​Mackenzie Richardson​
Aldershot High School 
Grade 12

A game changer, Mackenzie is an exceptional student who always finds ways to apply her learning in meaningful ways. Anytime she is given a leadership opportunity, she seeks to make a difference and create positive change. This was evident in many of the large scale initiatives that we took on as a class last spring. Whether she was embracing her leadership role teaching elementary school students about wetlands and biodiversity, providing a driving force for our school wide environmental awareness campaign or leading her peers through the Killarney Provincial Park Backcountry, her impeccable moral compass and ability to inspire those around her, leads to success in everything she chooses to take on. Mackenzie is an exceptional role model for other students, leads by example and is always willing to lend a hand to someone needing assistance. She has a thirst for understanding global issues and has truly begun to see her own potential as a positive agent of change. She has a natural ability to make people around her feel comfortable and her infectious positive personality is a welcome addition to any group.​​

Majd Aburas​
Burlington Central High School 
Grade 12

Majd came to Canada four years ago and is a multilingual learner. Along with demonstrating academic excellence, Majd shows kindness and empathy for his peers, teachers and other community members. He is a leader in the school's Robotics program as well as an outstanding Link Crew leader in supporting grade nine students in their transition to high school. ​​


Piper McNicol​​
Dr. Frank J. Hayden Secondary School 
Grade 12

Piper is cheerful, optimistic, and hard-working. She is an exceptional student and has been at the top of her class for several years. Piper believes passionately in community involvement and working for the common good. She donates her time and energy to worthwhile causes while maintaining good grades, involvement in extracurricular activities, and a part-time job. She is an all around lovely person.​​
​Ramla Khan​​
M.M. Robinson High School 
Grade 12

Throughout her high school career, Ramla has been committed to serving and improving our school culture, promoting various equity initiatives, and supporting diverse student needs all while maintaining academic excellence. She has multiple student leadership roles in the school through the CEOs of Equity, USB, Link Crew Commissioner, and more, and she works tirelessly to make MMR a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone. She has led whole-school assemblies, presented to staff at staff meetings, organized school events, and shared voices and perspectives that help us grow. She has been such a positive, involved, proactive and devoted student who has made a lasting impact on her school community. She truly leaves a legacy that makes her a perfect choice for Student of Excellence.​​​

Antonella Pecora Ruiz​
Nelson High School 
Grade 12​


Antonella’s hard work, dedication, and perseverance has earned a well-deserved reputation as a top-performing student. She has demonstrated a deep understanding of her studies, and has consistently demonstrated the ability to think critically and analytically about complex issues. Her role at Nelson High School as student council president has made a lasting impression on both the staff and students, setting a high standard of excellence. School staff are extremely proud of Antonella for this exceptional achievement, and are confident she will continue to excel in all areas of her life. ​
​​ Halton Hills ​​
​Elementary Students 
​

​​​Allison Batchelor​
Acton Elementary School
Grade 8 ​

Allison consistently puts forth her best efforts on all academic tasks. She works hard and seeks feedback on how to improve her work. Not only is she an excellent student, she expertly balances her school work and extracurriculars all while playing a high level soccer outside of school. Allison is involved in all areas of the school; running announcements, volunteering for special events, intramural flag football, and volleyball. She goes above and beyond to include others and assist peers in need. Allison is compassionate, kind and always encouraging to others. She consistently models great leadership in all areas of school.​

​​​Prassan Aggarwal​
Centennial Public School 
Grade 8

Prassan’s passion for learning is evident in the way he engages in class, asks thoughtful questions, and seeks out opportunities for growth and development. He takes initiative to seek opportunities to learn, takes on challenging assignments and contributes to the learning environment. Prassan collaborates and respects his teachers and peers while staying naturally curious and eager to learn. He leads by example in order to motivate and encourage others to achieve their full potential, while staying humble in recognizing that there is always more to learn and ways to improve. Prassan’s excellence extends far beyond the classroom. In the greater Centennial community, he continues to show his dedication and leadership through his involvement as a student Senator. Prassan is also involved in Centennial's Leadership Program called "Take Charge!" Running school initiatives, fundraisers, and coordinating school events is just some of the work he does through the committee. Prassan has made a lasting impact on his school community.​
Emersyn Presswood​
Ethel Gardiner Public School 
Grade 8

Emersyn has made incredible growth in her time as a student at Ethel Gardiner. In her Grade 8 year, she has demonstrated excellence in academics, strong learning skills, and involvement in a number of co-curricular activities both inside and outside of school. Emersyn is the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethel Gardiner’s Student Parliament, she has helped to organize food drives, toy drives and school dances. She is currently helping to organize the right-to-play day. Emersyn is also in her school play, attending early morning and lunchtime practices. Outside of school, she is a high-performance swimmer, she practices 5-6 days a week and manages to stay on top of her academics. Emersyn designed the yearbook cover a few years ago, and she has continued to enter the contest every year. She is an avid and talented artist.​


Mercy Seward​​
George Kennedy Public School 
Grade 5​

Mercy is a kind and respectful student. She demonstrates amazing participation, excitement for learning and always goes above and beyond with her school work. Mercy goes out of her way to include other students. She is an active participant in Lego Club, Board Game Club, Eco Club, Book Club, a member of the Battle of the Books team and a leader of the Craft Club.​
Peter Ioannidis​ 
Glen Williams Public School 
Grade 5​

Peter consistently looks for ways to include others both in the school and classroom as a whole and also during collaborative efforts and group work. He is always the first to volunteer to help. He cleans up messes that are not his, straightens up shoes in the classroom, holds the door for his peers, and helps other classes with milk. Peter is involved in different school activities like cross country, volleyball, and choir. He is also always volunteering to lead different activities including Milk, Healthy Schools, and announcements for the Giving Tree.​


Ben Cooper​​
Harrison Public School 
Grade 5

Ben sets high standards for himself and always puts forth his best effort. He upholds strong academic expectations by persevering through challenging activities and learning new ways to solve problems. He stands up for the rights of others by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. Ben is an upstander in the Harrison community by making sure that everyone plays fair at recess. During community circles he helps solve small social problems by coming up with a fair solution for everyone. As a junior student he has been involved in many extracurricular activities within the school. He was a member of the cross-country team, he is a lunchroom helper for the primary students and helped train his classmates in stop-motion videos. Ben’s dedication to his academics and his positive attitude towards school, himself, and others, truly allows him to embody the qualities that make him this year’s Student of Excellence.​


Evan Perry​
Joseph Gibbons Public School 
Grade 5

Evan is a kind and compassionate student who always takes the time to help others when they need a helping hand. Evan is a hard worker and this is demonstrated in his academic achievement. He always works hard to be the best that he can be. He is an active participant in school activities, including volleyball, Lego Club, and Student Leaders. Evan is dedicated to making our little school the best place it can be!​


Nora Madill​
Limehouse Public School 
Grade 5

Nora is a respectful, kind, inquisitive, engaging leader whose demeanour sets a wonderful example for her classmates. She consistently demonstrates what it means to be a Limehouse Lynx with a positive attitude towards learning and helpful nature as she diligently tries to create a better school community. Nora took a leadership role in reinstating the Limehouse Talent Show and she organized a fundraiser for SickKids Hospital. She is actively involved in many school activities including: Announcement Team, Grow It Green Team, Cross Country, Choir and our Limehouse Engagement Team. As a member of the Limehouse Engagement Team, Nora is committed to working with her peers to promote and educate the school community about Mental Health and Wellness, Physical Health and Healthy Eating. She has been instrumental in creating and implementing several initiatives for the staff and students at Limehouse.​


Greyson Broderick​
McKenzie-Smith Bennett Public School 
Grade 6

Greyson exemplifies amazing leadership skills and enhances his school community on a daily basis. He was the MC for the winter concert, and one of the readers for the Remembrance Day assembly. Greyson is an active athlete in volleyball and cross country, he is involved in numerous volunteer jobs around the school, and he maintains an excellent academic report. Greyson is well liked by all students and exhibits all the qualities needed to make him a true student of excellence.​


Myelle Pierre​
Park Public School 
Grade 5

Myelle has extraordinary involvement and leadership demonstrated within the classroom and school-wide community. She is involved in athletics and other artistic extracurricular activities. Myelle takes initiative and goes above and beyond to support her peers and younger students. ​


Julia Ruch​​
Pineview Public School 
Grade 5

Julia Ruch is a considerate, kind and helpful person who demonstrates dedication and commitment to all aspects of school life. She is a natural leader, has a positive attitude and inspires others. Julia actively seeks leadership opportunities where she makes a difference and is an excellent role model for students of all ages in her school and her community. ​​


Sofia Ward​
Robert Little Public School 
Grade 6

Sofia is always willing to help her peers and she is empathetic and understanding of her classmates’ situations. She looks for various ways to be involved in her school and she is involved in extracurriculars such as library helpers, popcorn, and volleyball. Sofia has been on a journey to build her self-confidence, self-esteem and identity, and she has come so far in the last two years. She always stands up for others, advocates for classmates who she feels are being mistreated, and redirects inappropriate terms used by her classmates.​

Tylar Fairhead​
Silver Creek Public School 
Grade 8​

Tylar is a supportive and empathetic student who strives to do his best both academically and when undertaking athletic pursuits. He demonstrates a positive attitude and conducts himself with integrity regardless of the situation. Tylar’s unfailing kindness and consistent work ethic make him a natural leader. In leadership roles, he is highly regarded by both his peers, younger students and teachers as a result of his involvement around the school. Tylar always treats others with respect and helps create an inclusive and welcoming school community. ​


Olivia Lipovsek​
Stewarttown Middle School 
Grade 8

Olivia is a compassionate and caring student who promotes inclusiveness and fairness. Her great results across all areas of the curriculum are a direct result of her outstanding work ethic and desire to succeed. Olivia has had a positive impact on the Stewarttown community through her involvement in school activities and as a leader on student parliament.​
 ​​​


​Secondary Students 
​

Madelyn Vandermeer​
Acton District High School 
Grade 12

Madelyn is an exceptional student who has consistently held a position on the Honour Roll, achieving an A+ average every year. She has run cross-country, played volleyball, been the varsity badminton MVP, and was captain of the Ultimate Frisbee team. In athletic endeavours, Madelyn gives her all, playing hard and reaching to achieve her own high standard of excellence. In her role on the Equity team, Madelyn approached the Administration as the voice of the student body concerned about racism and inequality within the school community. Madelyn’s leadership and advocacy led the administration to approach her to be our Student Senator representing our school at the Halton District School Board Trustees’s table. Madelyn is a multi-talented person who uses all her abilities in giving back to her school and community.​


Sydney Hood​
Georgetown District High School 
Grade 12​

Sydney excels in academics and athletics, and consistently models respectful and helpful behaviour to others. She is an excellent example of good citizenship and community-mindedness, while still maintaining high levels of expectation for individual responsibility and success. Sydney is the current captain of the undefeated Girls Varsity Hockey team and has competed in field hockey, ultimate frisbee, girls volleyball, girls lacrosse, and worked on Student Athletic Council. In the classroom, Sydney works hard with academics. She will be graduating with the Sports SHSM certificate and she is an Honour Roll student. Sydney completes all of this while still competing at the highest level of women's hockey in Ontario, the U22 Elite Women's Hockey League as a member of the Cambridge Rivulettes. To give back to her community, Sydney coaches girls hockey for the North Halton Twisters and is a respite care worker for a young boy with autism one night per week.


Oakville​
​Elementary Students 
​

Duke Liu​
​Abbey Lane Public School 
Grade 8​

A recent newcomer to the school, Duke quickly established himself as a friendly, bright and hardworking student who has flourished academically and socially. He’s proven to be naturally inquisitive and consistently demonstrates exceptional work habits and attention to detail. Duke is an active participant in extracurricular activities and routinely models responsible language and behaviour. ​


Zayd Limbada​
Brookdale Public School 
Grade 8

Zayd is an exceptional student academically and socially. He demonstrates leadership through a commitment to the community and he continuously has a positive impact on the school climate and creates conditions among his peers that promotes positive change. ​


Avika Gupta​​
Captain R. Wilson Public School 
Grade 8

Avika Gupta has been an exceptional member of our CRW community since Grade 5. In that time she has always had a positive attitude and natural kindness towards all staff and students. She is extremely hardworking, an active participant in the classroom and committed to her studies. She helps to make CRW an amazing community by participating in many different teams and clubs, such as our flag football and basketball team, Art Club, Leadership, Wee Walkers, lunch monitoring and much more. ​
Muhammad Malik​
Dr. David R. Williams Public School 
Grade 8

Muhammad Malik has shown exceptional leadership, initiative, extracurricular and community involvement along with strong academic performance. He is very involved in school activities, clubs and teams and represents the school on the HDSB Student Senate. Muhammad is a Level 2 Air Cadet with the 540 Golden Hawks and takes pride in his service within the local community. Muhammad has shared that being recognized as the Student of Excellence has been an ambition of his since childhood.​


Saujas Lad​
E.J. James Public School 
Grade 8

Saujas is involved in every aspect of the school, from academic learning to schoolwide leadership. Saujas co-leads the School Senate and represents the school on the HDSB Student Senate. He is involved in a wide variety of extracurricular activities and is a dedicated and conscientious student, as well as a considerate and empathetic young person.
​


Anita Croitor​
Eastview Public School 
Grade 8

Anita is an exemplary student and is known to assist her peers with understanding difficult concepts or help those who need emotional or social support. She has been the Master of Ceremonies for school events, an active member of student parliament and Gender and Sexuality Alliance initiatives, and is a part of the school musical. Anita participates in school athletics and sports outside of school. She is an enthusiastic participant in the concert and jazz bands and is writing a children's book in Portuguese, her first language.​
Maja Selkirk​
Emily Carr Public School 
Grade 8

Maja’s hard work and dedication to making Emily Carr a better place is evident throughout the walls of the school each and every day. Maja is multifaceted and encompasses qualities of an excellent leader, a strong critical thinker, a diligent worker and a compassionate soul.​


Avia Dunschede​​​​ 
Falgarwood Public School 
Grade 8

Avia is kind, helpful and excels academically and socially. She is a student representative for the School Council who presents at parent meetings. Avia can be counted on to help with Radio Falgarwood in the morning and is a rolemodel to the student community. She helps with various initiatives in the school and can be counted on as a social justice advocate who stands up for what is right. ​


Jack Patrick​​
Forest Trail Public School 
Grade 8

Jack has exemplified excellence in academics and leadership throughout his time at Forest Trail. He is motivated and persevering and succeeds in everything he does. Jack is kind and respectful and shows an impressive commitment to the school and community. Jack embraces learning and strives to achieve a high level of academic achievement. He demonstrates sportsmanship in athletics and kindness and respect in all that he does. Jack is loved and appreciated by everyone, teachers, administration and students.​​​


Anushay Merchant​
Gladys Speers Public School 
Grade 6

Anushay is a natural born leader. She is a kind and polite student who looks for ways to help others, and strives to make a difference. Anushay excels in academics, contributes to school life and embodies the school motto of "It's cool to care".​



Lane Smith​​
Heritage Glen Public School 
Grade 8

Lane is a kind, caring, inclusive leader at Heritage Glen Public School. She is always the first to volunteer and willingly helps others and seeks and rises to new challenges and opportunities in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities. She is a model student citizen who demonstrates positive leadership in the school community through her role as Student Equity Liaison on Student Council and as a senior player on various teams. Lane radiates enthusiasm in her work with peers, teachers and administrators to promote and encourage a positive climate at school.​

Bryony Fowler​​
James W. Hill Public School 
Grade 8

Bryony comes to school with an enthusiastic attitude, genuinely caring and inclusive nature and positively influences the school climate every day. She is a respectful and self-motivated learner who always puts forth her best effort. She is a leader who has the ability to persevere and complete the task at hand. When faced with challenges, she presses on with dedication and unwavering positivity. She is courteous and eager to help her teachers and school staff. As a member of the SIT team, choreographer in the school musical and as co-organizer of dance crew, she demonstrates commitment and leadership.​

Keya Dedasaniya​ 
Joshua Creek Public School 
Grade 8

Keya is a kind and caring student who embodies the school values of “Work Hard, Be Kind and Inspire Others”. Keya is polite to everyone and always has a smile on her face. Keya goes out of her way to ensure everyone has a partner and feels that they belong. If a student needs a friend, someone to work with or just someone to sit near, she is the first to offer to help out. Keya is a strong student leader who strives to improve the school environment, while being involved in many extracurricular activities. Keya always has a positive attitude towards learning and strives to do her best, whether that be in reading the most books in class or building a detailed cell model. ​

Sean Connor ​
Maple Grove Public School 
Grade 8

Sean is a kind and inclusive student who consistently engages in his learning by fully participating in everything he is committed to. He is a natural leader who demonstrates these qualities inside and out of the classroom. His strong academic skills combined with his caring and helpful nature, exemplify the school motto of “Being Kind and Taking Care of Each Other”. Sean is actively engaged in many activities throughout the school and is recognized for his many positive contributions to the School Senate and as a School Ambassador.​


Hussain Baqri​
Montclair Public School 
Grade 8

Not only does Hussain achieve academic success, he makes an effort to balance his studies with extracurricular activities such as band and basketball club, to name a few. Hussain has a way of bringing positivity to the classroom – he always considers the feelings of others and takes time to make people smile. Hussain is a role model for other students by showing respect to his teachers and peers. He takes interest in being an active member of the school community and looks for opportunities to help others.​


Tanya Guan​
Munn's Public School 
Grade 8

Tanya consistently models inclusion, empathy, compassion and kindness towards her peers at school and in her community. Tanya strives for academic excellence and her exemplary citizenship and leadership skills are recognized by staff and students. Tanya has been an active member of the Munn’s community through her participation in Cross Country, Band, Science Club, Equity Club, Choir, the Intermediate Reading Challenge, Badminton and Volleyball Intramurals. She is incredibly humble, conscientious, inquisitive and hardworking. Tanya makes the school a better place and shares her genuine passion for learning. ​
Ben Mundy​
New Central Public School 
Grade 6

Ben consistently sets a positive example for his peers, shows kindness towards others and truly wants to make this world a better place. Being kind is effortless for him, as he genuinely cares for the well being of others. He collaborates, encourages peers to be their best selves and elevates the learners around him. He truly embodies the characteristics of a leader. As a dedicated learner, he expresses a true passion for learning and puts forth his best effort to produce exceptional work. He welcomes academic challenges and is self-motivated to expand his knowledge. He dedicates his time to creating a more inclusive school community.​


Sanga Ahmadzi​​
Oakwood Public School 
Grade 5

Sanga demonstrates strong academic achievement through her excellent initiative, motivation and class participation. Her commitment to Oakwood is demonstrated through her strong work ethic and involvement in school leadership opportunities. She is a modest, kind classmate who sets high standards for herself and works hard to achieve them. ​


Katyayni Kelkar​
Oodenawi Public School 
Grade 8

Katya is heavily involved in many capacities within and outside the school. Academically, Katya is a strong student and a diligent worker who participates actively in group settings and works well independently. She helps others who need additional support and has been an integral member in helping to integrate students into the classroom. Katya is a strong advocate for equal rights and social justice matters and believes strongly in maintaining positive mental health and well-being. She is an environmentally conscious member of society, often putting forth ideas and strategies to live more sustainably. Katya is kind, hardworking and inclusive and goes out of her way to make others feel included; always approaching others with empathy and respect. ​
Anvay Mathur​​
Palermo Public School 
Grade 8

Anvay is a strong student leader who continually strives to improve the classroom and school environment. He demonstrates outstanding achievement in all subject areas, always striving to go above and beyond. He has taken on some great initiatives such as the Intermediate Leadership Council, QSA and Band. He demonstrates mutual respect amongst his peers and teachers and doesn’t hesitate to make newcomers to the school feel welcomed. ​


​
Mythili Panicker​​
Pilgrim Wood Public School 
Grade 8

Mythili demonstrates excellence across all aspects of school life. She works hard and achieves top grades and learning skills, while volunteering to help students. She participates in a variety of extracurricular activities, including jazz band, intermediate wind ensemble, student council, senior girls volleyball, flag football, badminton, and senior girls basketball. She runs a public speaking club for students and challenged herself to be the master of ceremonies for the winter concert and Lunar New Year assembly. By consistently seeking new challenges and opportunities and by demonstrating a positive attitude in all situations, Mythili embodies the Pilgrim Wood school motto: Work Hard, Be Nice, Make a Difference.
​


Spencer Miller​
Pine Grove Public School 
Grade 8

Spencer is an outstanding student in academics and character, who actively participates in and contributes to his school community. He is exceptionally kind and empathetic, and goes out of his way to help any student regardless of age and ability, as well as volunteering to help staff with school activities. He is a leader in Student Parliament and a focused and driven student academically. He is involved in numerous extracurricular activities (Flag football, cross country, Volleyball, Basketball, Badminton, STEM club, and coaching Junior Volleyball). He is a role model to younger students who know that he is there to support them.​


Savvy Smith​
Post's Corners Public School 
Grade 8

Savvy embodies the school's values of kindness, empathy and a positive attitude towards learning. Despite a busy extracurricular schedule, she engages in all aspects of the school community with a willingness to help others. Savvy actively contributes insightful ideas to discussions and is drawn to leadership opportunities. She holds herself to a high standard, goes above and beyond, and demonstrates excellent learning skills. Savvy is well-liked and respected by peers and teachers, making her a valuable member of the school community. Savvy holds herself to a high standard, and does this with a smile. Savvy demonstrates excellent learning skills and takes initiative. ​


Sanya Poonia​
River Oaks Public School 
Grade 8

Sanya has a great attitude towards learning and actively explores her subjects with a love for knowledge. She is a confident and diligent student who consistently puts in hard work and is conscientious about her studies. Sanya is actively involved in the school community, participating in extracurricular activities and volunteering. Her success as a student and positive presence in the River Oaks community have been admirable to witness, and it is a joy to see her growth as a young person.​


Liam Finch​
Sheridan Public School 
Grade 5

Liam's kindness, care and support towards his fellow classmates and the wider school community make him a true role model. He consistently goes above and beyond to help those around him, and continuously brings a positive attitude and willingness to lend a hand. He is a prominent and valuable member of many clubs and teams, always demonstrating sportsmanship and integrity.​


Shane Bowes​
Sunningdale Public School ​
Grade 8

Shane is a positive role model in the Sunningdale community, both inside and outside the classroom. He actively participates in various extracurricular teams and clubs, while also holding a leadership position in Student Parliament. Shane leads with an open mind and encourages diverse perspectives. He sets a positive example by contributing to discussions and empowering peers during group work. Shane challenges himself to high standards and excels academically, demonstrating a strong work ethic.​

Samaa Elsherbeni​​
W.H. Morden Public School 
Grade 8

Samaa is an exceptional role model for her peers – consistently displaying kindness and a pleasant demeanor towards those around her, creating a welcoming and positive atmosphere. Samaa embodies a strong sense of caring and her outstanding character and dedication make her a true asset to W.H. Morden, and an inspiration to her peers.​​



Hasan Al-Khalili​
West Oak Public School 
Grade 8

Hasan is an exceptional student who serves as a positive role model to the entire West Oak student body. His kindness, respect, and inclusivity are evident in his interactions with others, as he goes out of his way to ensure that everyone feels valued and included. He is a high achiever academically and has a strong work ethic. He is actively involved in extracurricular activities during school and contributes to the school community with his positive attitude. ​


​Secondary​ Students 
​

Caroline Huang​
Abbey Park High School 
Grade 12

In addition to her impressive academic achievements, Caroline is a leader in the school community, participating in many of school clubs and committees including Student Council, Young Women in Leadership, DECA, TedX and Model UN. She has been a member of Plan International Canada for many years and is fulfilling her role as an ambassador to this global organization by heading to New York City as a Canadian Delegate for the Commission on the Status of Women. She is a National and International Award Winner for Science and Technology Projects and has participated in a number of summer internship placements. ​


Kenzie North​
Garth Webb Secondary School 
Grade 12

Kenzie radiates positive energy and attitude. She has an impressive academic record, exceptionally strong work ethic and is always smiling and laughing. Kenzie embraces her individuality and is an ally to everyone. She has the highest energy and loudest cheer at Link Crew events, most spirit at school competitions and even took a lead role in our school musical. While leading these events, she consistently made the people around her better students and human beings. She was a leader and role model in the school and we are so proud that she is a graduate of Garth Webb S.S.​


Rose Ladley​​
Gary Allan High School​
Grade 12 
​
Rose has been a constant at our Oakville site and has performed extremely well personally and academically. She epitomizes what STEP hopes to provide students with. Her achievements demonstrate the very mission of the school program. ​​

Rham Anpalagan​​
Iroquois Ridge High School 
Grade 12

Rham is heavily involved in the school community - he has been on the Student Council, OSLC and the Executive. Rham also sits on RECC and Medlife. In addition to all of the support he offers to the school through the clubs he volunteers with, he is also a student-athlete who plays volleyball. Rham does this while maintaining academic excellence in each of his courses. Rham is highly respected amongst his peers in the school community. ​


Allen Yan
Oakville Trafalgar High School 
Grade 12

Allen is a genuine leader in the school. His positivity is infectious. He brings passion and energy to all of his endeavours, including his leadership as founder of the Photography Club, leadership of School Council and participation in school and community events. His kind and proactive support of others as they navigate a new culture, sharing from his own experiences as a newcomer, make him a natural role model and mentor. He combines superlative service to the school community with outstanding academic achievement. ​


Serena Chaudhary​​
Thomas A. Blakelock High School 
Grade 12

Serena is an intelligent, compassionate and conscientious student who exemplifies quiet leadership. She has served as a key member of several new and exciting committees and extracurricular clubs and teams. Serena is the leader and editor-in-chief of the TABloid School Newspaper, Student Affairs Minister and representative on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee. Serena does so much for the school community and beyond, yet never asks for praise or recognition for her hard and tireless deeds. She's a changemaker who exemplifies "Student Excellence".​


Shrihan Ala​ 
White Oaks Secondary School 
Grade 12

Shrihan is a remarkable student who excels in all areas of school life, including sports, clubs and academics. As the captain of the Sr. Boys volleyball team, he led the team to many victories and kept their spirits up during difficult times. He volunteers his time to help the Jr. Girls volleyball team and attends all their practices, games and tournaments. Shrihan is involved in extracurricular clubs like DECA and acts as the school mascot, while still managing to maintain good grades as an IB student. Teachers often praise his well-roundedness and good character. Shrihan's dedication and leadership make him stand out as an exceptional student.​​

 Milton & Virtual School - Secondary​​
​ ​Elementary Students 
​

​​​Aashni Kalagarla​​
Anne J. MacArthur Public School 
Grade 8

Aashni is an exemplary student who excels in all of her academic pursuits and is fully immersed in her school community through a myriad of extracurricular activities. She is a dedicated and curious learner in the classroom and often leads through hard work and positive example. She contributes thoughtful and reflective ideas to class discussions and enriches the culture of the classroom with her inclusivity and kindness. As a member of many athletic teams (e.g., volleyball, basketball) and school culture clubs (e.g., diversity, student ambassadors, student parliament) just to name a few, Aashni manages her demanding schedule with poise and maturity. Outside of school, Aashni is involved in swimming, dance and cadets. This winter she competed in her first ever biathlon as part of the cadets. She has left an indelible mark on Anne J. MacArthur through her inspirational work ethic and her voracious appetite for learning and engaging.​

Trisha Puri​
Boyne Public School 
Grade 8

Trisha is an enthusiastic student who has a love of learning and who embodies the Boyne Motto - “Work Hard, Be Nice, Make a Difference.” She always goes above and beyond when it comes to her learning. Her kindness and sense of humour make her well respected by her peers and any of the adults she has an opportunity to work with in the school. Trisha is an amazing role model to her classmates and peers. She has a special skill of making everyone feel included and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. She takes initiative and is the first one to volunteer when opportunities present themselves. Trisha ‘Makes a Difference’ as she contributes to the Boyne Community by participating on school teams and intramurals such as the Student Senate, Boyne Ambassadors, Volleyball Team, Cross Country, Track and Field, Badminton and Intramurals.​


Kate Marsh​ 
Brookville Public School 
Grade 8

Kate has demonstrated phenomenal growth as a student and as a person during her time as a student at Brookville. She is consistent with her academic achievement in all areas of the curriculum and she always looks for opportunities for self-development and self-improvement. Kate actively seeks out help when required and supports her peers in their learning. She is always inclusive with everyone at Brookville. Kate is involved in all aspects of school (Coaching, sports teams, clubs, and leadership opportunities) and she is a mentor to other students. She approaches all learning situations with a positive attitude. Kate is a problem solver and perseveres through challenges and demonstrates a curiosity to learn.​

Nikeshaa Puvanathasan​
Bruce Trail Public School 
Grade 8

Nikeshaa is a strong all-around student who strives for academic excellence and is a role model for others in terms of learning skills. She is actively involved in the school community by being a part of Student Ambassadors, Social Justice and Coding Club. Nikeshaa is finding her voice by advocating for herself and others and will certainly continue to be an agent of change in her community.​


Mackenzie Glassford​​
Chris Hadfield Public School 
Grade 8

This year, Chris Hadfield Public School has nominated a truly outstanding individual who embodies excellence in the quality of her work at school and in the contributions she makes in our community. Her empathy, compassion, integrity and academic excellence are among her outstanding characteristics. It is with great pleasure that we announce this year’s Student of Excellence, our very own Mackenzie Glassford. She has been a proud member of Chris Hadfield since Kindegarten and has always been a dedicated, caring, and committed Hawk. Congratulations, Mackenzie! ​


Isabella Antonio​
E.W. Foster Public School 
Grade 5

Since starting at E.W. Foster in Grade 2, Isabella (Bella) has always demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for learning and cooperating with others. She always has a bright smile and a kind word for every human she encounters. Bella exemplifies the Foster Pillars, especially empathy and respect, in her daily interactions with staff and students. As a Grade 5 student, Bella demonstrates leadership with her positive attitude and willingness to try anything. She uses her growth mindset motto, “Learn from your mistakes and try again,” to help motivate and encourage herself in all tasks. Bella always displays great initiative by taking risks in her learning, using the strategies that she is taught and giving every task her very best effort. She is a dedicated and responsible student, achieving academic growth and success as she balances her schooling with a busy competitive gymnastic schedule. Bella is a very active member of the Foster community, as seen in her participation in the announcement club, art club, cross country, and choir, in addition to being a thoughtful and patient learning buddy in Kindergarten and Grade 2. ​ ​


Ziyan Malik​ 
Escarpment View Public School 
Grade 8

Ziyan is being recognized for her academic excellence, involvement in her school community, and her positive attitude. She is an exceptional student who excels in all academic areas. Her marks are reflective of her work ethic, curiosity, and drive to produce the best possible product on every task. She is kind and enthusiastic to work with any and all of classmates. Ziyan involves herself in the school community through her work as a member of the Student Wellness Committee, and her participation as a lead in the school musical Annie. Ziyan can be counted on to bring a positive attitude and energy to the classroom with her everyday.​


Natalie Hoermann​
Hawthorne Village Public School 
Grade 8

Natalie is an exemplary student who maintains a high academic average while prioritizing her commitment to extracurricular activities such as Student Council as the Athletic Rep, badminton, basketball, football, pickleball, volleyball, dance choreographer, cross country and Halton Skills competition. She has shown excellent leadership skills and is an integral part of the school community. She has demonstrated exemplary initiative and is a leader amongst her peers, showing discipline and maturity beyond her years while at the same time being kind and inclusive to all.​


Kate Atkinson​
Irma Coulson Public School
Grade 8

Kate demonstrates consistent engagement in the school community at a leadership level. In all her efforts she is thorough, kind and helpful. It is to be noted that she is persistent in accomplishing her learning goals as well as supporting others and championing the school goals. She is a positive role model for others.​


Zaid Shikh Alsrojeh ​
J.M. Denyes Public School 
Grade 5

Zaid is a kind, friendly and supportive member of both his classroom and the greater school community. He is quick to help out his peers and often leads and mediates sports activities at recess, ensuring fair and sportsmanlike conduct. His involvement in student council, lunchroom supervision and morning announcements make him an approachable and positive role model for other students at J.M. Denyes. His enthusiasm is contagious and this has been evident throughout this school year as he notices when others are struggling and helps to bring the best out in his peers. Zaid has a strong work ethic and consistently demonstrates a high level of initiative in the classroom. The J.M. Denyes community is extremely proud of all of his accomplishments.​
Suraya Tonkin​​
Martin Street Public School 
Grade 8

Suraya excels academically and is involved in all aspects of the school community. She is a leader and well regarded by peers and staff. Suraya is a kind and considerate student at Martin Street Public School. She is one of the well-being team leaders and can be counted on to support and organize activities for other students. She is always willing to help out teachers or students with a project and she wants to be involved in her school community. Suraya always searches for the positive in a situation and keeps an open mind when faced with a challenge. She leads by example and demonstrates respect and integrity in everything she does. Congratulations to Suraya on being the well-deserved recipient of our Student of Excellence! ​


Ayeshah Khan​
P.L. Robertson Public School 
Grade 8

Ayeshah has shown excellence throughout her academic journey, as well as a positive and willing attitude towards achieving the goals she and her teachers have set out. She is a natural leader within her classroom and school community as evidenced by her participation in Spirit Crew, Badminton, and the Black Advocacy and Education initiative, to name a few. Ayeshah has always been an advocate, speaking up on behalf of others, in addition to her problem-solving approach to addressing racial and equity issues. In choosing to show courage over comfort and by acting on her values, rather than simply professing them, Ayeshah demonstrates true integrity and has earned the opportunity to represent P. L. Robertson as this year's Student of Excellence.​


Parnika Chinnari​​
Rattlesnake Point Public School ​
Grade 7

As a member of a brand-new school community, Parnika has consistently personified Rattlesnake Point's school words, "Gratitude, Humility, Action." She has been an integral part of establishing community norms and creating a positive culture for both students, staff, and families. She is always willing to lend a hand in any way, and consistently finds ways to involve herself in teams, clubs, and school initiatives. Parnika demonstrates respect and inclusivity with all her peers, and is a role model for younger students. Additionally, her strong sense of emotional intelligence has allowed Parnika to foster caring and safe relationships with others. In addition to her extensive involvement in extracurricular activities, Parnika also shows excellence in her academic pursuits. She strives for personal growth in all subject-areas, finds ways to consistently go beyond what is asked of her by teachers, and works well with others. Congratulations Parnika on being Rattlesnake Point's first ever Student of Excellence!​


​ Benjamin Logan​
Robert Baldwin Public School 
Grade 5

Benjamin was chosen as the Student of Excellence for his academics, athletics, and leadership in and out of the classroom. He is extremely dependable and always willing to go the extra mile in all aspects of his education and in the community. Benjamin is a part of various clubs and teams at Robert Baldwin PS. He works hard in any situation and is always looking for ways to improve his work, listening closely to any feedback and implementing the suggestions to improve. He is kind-hearted, well liked by his peers, and consistently makes an effort to be inclusive both in the classroom and on the playground. Benjamin is an exemplary student and a model of the values that we strive to promote at Robert Baldwin PS and in the HDSB.​
Nithan Prakash​
Sam Sherratt Public School 
Grade 8

Nithan always does his best to do his best. He takes suggestions and feedback and uses them to improve. He is a member of the Student Council as the Minister of Health and Sport and he works hard on the Council and has organized several school events. Nithan is always willing to help out, regardless of the task. He conducts himself well no matter the situation, exhibiting the best qualities of a leader in that he is patient, understanding, and confident. Nithan converses and includes everyone at the school, and doesn’t have issues speaking/listening to students of any age. ​


Arshia Verma​ 
Tiger Jeet Singh Public School 
Grade 8

Arshia is an enthusiastic learner who enjoys challenges, works diligently and is always determined to do her best both academically and socially. She is respectful towards others and is a well respected member of our school community. She is a student with whom others always ask to work because of her willingness to accept everyone and her openness to others' ideas. She demonstrates a growth mindset while welcoming feedback from her teachers and peers. Arshia is actively involved in the school community, trying out for teams and clubs and volunteering her time to help with the Primary reading club and the primary craft workshops. She has shown interest in many aspects of school life by joining the cross country team, concert band, student council, primary reading club and primary craft club leader. She also represents TJS as a school ambassador. Arshia is a well rounded student who demonstrates excellence in all that she does without seeking recognition. ​
Simika Natheeswaran​​
Viola Desmond Public School 
Grade 8

Simika is a diligent student with an incredibly strong work ethic, always ready to tackle a problem or challenge with a positive attitude and determination to do her best. She ensures all students and adults in the school feel that they are part of the Viola Desmond community, always ready with a smile and kind words for anyone she meets. On a daily basis, Simika goes out of her way to help others, whether lending a hand to a younger student to carry a heavy item down the stairs to sitting with a classmate at break time to look over math and pump them up with words of encouragement. She is a natural-born leader, both in the classroom and in the many extracurricular and leadership activities in which she participates. Simika is an incredible student who embodies the guiding principles of Viola Desmond Public School: Cultivating creativity and Innovation, Promoting curiosity and wonder, Fostering a strong sense of self, Building caring relationships, Re-imagining learning and Thinking globally.​

Kaylee McAlister​ 
W.I. Dick Middle School 
Grade 8

Kaylee is an incredibly kind, hard working and inclusive student. She puts forth her best effort in all that she does, both inside and outside of the classroom. She is always looking out for her peers and often looks for ways to connect and engage with all members of the school community. Kaylee is welcoming and enjoys working with new people. She is extremely involved in all aspects of school life and the community and consistently tries to help others wherever she goes. Kaylee is also able to maintain a high level of academic achievement and to balance her commitments in the classroom with all that she does around the school. Throughout her years at W.I. Dick, Kaylee has set goals for herself to be involved and to do her very best in all that she attempts. She is a leader who finds a way for her classmates and teammates to see the very best in themselves each and every day. Kaylee embodies all of the qualities of a Student of Excellence.​

​Secondary Students 
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​Hala Bishtawi​
Craig Kielburger Secondary School 
Grade 12

Hala brings contagious positivity, empathy, and maturity to every environment. In the classroom, Hala is first to compliment her peers, share ideas during discussions, and ensure that all of her classmates feel included. She has an unbelievable ability to understand and consider various perspectives before offering a creative solution to any issue, big or small. Hala spends lunch periods peer tutoring where she continues to build relationships with other students. She is also a valuable member of the Art Council, Business Club, and Link Crew. Hala’s talents continue to show Spartan spirit as she plays on the Senior Girls Basketball team, swims with the Varsity Swim team, and helps coach the Bantam Girls Volleyball team. Hala is reliable, passionate, and dedicated to building a strong sense of belonging at Craig Kielburger. ​

​Manahil Asad​​
Elsie MacGill Secondary School ​ 
Grade 10

Manahil is a wonderful addition to the Elsie MacGill SS community! Over the past two years, she has consistently excelled academically in her classes and constantly amazes us with how polite and friendly she is. Manahil represented her community last year as one of Elsie MacGill's Student Senators, and she has played on the volleyball team for two years now. Manahil also plays a lead role in the Muslim Students' Association. Manahil is a friend to all, and a super-positive force in her school.​
Julia Dunham​
Milton District High School 
Grade 12

Julia embodies all components of Milton District High School’s values — belong, elevate and respect. She is a strong, quiet leader. Julia seeks out opportunities to enhance wellness at Milton District. She plans activities from secret jokes to scavenger hunts for staff and students to put smiles on their faces. She is always the first to support her classmates, congratulate them and spread good news stories about her peers. Julia excels inside and outside of the classroom, being an active participant in various clubs and activities. She is an outstanding citizen and role model for her peers.​

Cici Zhu​
Virtual School - Secondary​ 
Grade 11​

Cici has had outstanding academic achievements this year. She also leads our VSS Scholars group, thereby helping other students to succeed in their classes. Cici is an empathetic peer who seeks to support her classmates. She is also involved in the Math Club and serves as a volunteer tutor in the community as well. Cici is a member of Art Helps Hearts - a student-led organization seeking to make a difference in our local community through art.​​


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​​​​ View Past Student Excellence Award Winners

​View 2022 Student Excellence Award Winners​View 2021 Student Excellence Award Winners      View 2020 Student Excellence Award Winners

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