Each year, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board Student Recognition Awards celebrate excellence in student leadership. Students are chosen by their principals and vice-principals for their demonstration of initiative, supported by the will to succeed, the dedication to finish what they started, and the commitment to achieve their personal best.
Congratulations to this year’s winner from Elizabeth Wyn Wood Alternate High School Program,
Daniel V.!
In his time at Elizabeth Wyn Wood, Daniel V. has shown that he doesn’t just persevere through adversity, he thrives! It all started with a conversation about 10 ideas to make the school a better place, and he only gained momentum from there. Daniel used his leadership skills to amplify the voices of students who have felt marginalized or mistreated, working to bring the Human Rights and Equity Advisor to the school to answer questions about students’ rights and Board processes regarding systemic discrimination. Daniel has helped create and lead Student Voices, a student advocacy group that empowers others to bring creative ideas, suggestions, and concerns to administration and staff. He has also brought fun social activities back to the school once lockdowns ended, proposed and championed student initiatives like Cross-Curricular Genius Hours, advocated for more awareness around vaping, and much more. Daniel links ideas back to educational theory, student voice, and the betterment of all, and has used past negative school experiences as a catalyst to improve the school environment. He has had an incredible ability to take negative school experiences and turn them into an impetus for systemic change. His advocacy for student voice and hard work to create positive change are more than deserving of this Student Recognition Award!
Learn more about this year's award recipients on the
OCDSB website.