With a French father, and an English mother, Amanda Daigle knew that speaking both of Canada’s official languages would be an asset in her life. As a result, the grade 11 Marymount Academy student has been in French Immersion her entire academic career, and this year, it has provided her with an amazing opportunity. Daigle has been selected as one of thirty students from across the country to be a youth ambassador at the National Ambassador Youth Forum (Le Forum National des jeunes Ambassadeurs) which provides bilingual high school students the chance to meet like-minded student leaders from across the country. This event is hosted by French for the Future, a non-profit student-centred educational program that encourages and promotes bilingualism in Canada.
The one week forum will be taking place in Edmonton, Alberta, in which students will learn about diverse career paths and possibilities, take part in unique cultural events, as well as share their experiences and discuss the challenges and advantages of learning two languages. This opportunity came about from her teacher Christine Masimiliano. Masimiliano informed her class about the forum and Daigle decided that this was something she wanted to apply for. After writing her own letter explaining why she would be a great candidate, Daigle also had to provide two letters of recommendation to support her application. At the end of April, she got the call. This all expenses paid trip is something that Daigle is very, very excited for. “I am so grateful for this opportunity,” Daigle stated. “Not only will it allow me to strengthen my French-language skills, but I will get to make new friends, and learn how to be a better leader in my community.” Daigle is no stranger to being a leader, as she often takes part in community service activities in Sudbury, as well as being a part of the Girl Guides of Canada for many years. “I am very honoured to have been chosen to join the 29 other students for this national forum,” Daigle said. “French Immersion has opened many doors for me in the past, and I am confident that being selected as a youth ambassador for this national French forum will continue to open doors for me in the future!”
Category: Marymount Academy
SCDSB Hosts Third Annual Turning Points Essay Awards Ceremony
Students, parents, teachers and invited guests gathered at the Sudbury Catholic District Board office on May 9, 2012 to take part in the SCDSB’s third annual Turning Points Essay Contest Awards ceremony. This essay contest is an initiative which stems from the Learning Partnership which is an organization that champions a strong public education system to deliver innovative programs, credible research, policy initiatives, executive leadership and public engagement across Canada. Turning Points is a character development and literacy program that allows students to reflect on their fundamental values and, through a process of self-reflection and dialogue, write a narrative essay about a significant event, or turning point in their lives. As it is the third year, student participation has continued to grow as teachers have continued to encourage their involvement with this rewarding program. The secondary students that took part in this contest and authored the winning essays were awarded plaques, a copy of the publication, as well as monetary awards at Wednesday night’s celebration. The students were honoured for their efforts and several students had the opportunity to read their essays allowed. The audience was visibly moved by these emotional accounts and several of the teachers involved spoke of the courage and strength of their students to be able to write such heart-felt accounts of their experiences. Allison Cameron, a Marymount English teacher was the master of ceremonies at this event and was visibly moved after the students read aloud their essays. “Even after being involved with this initiative for three years, I am never really prepared for the poignant words our students have written and shared with others,” Cameron stated. “The courage of these students to express their deepest feelings and emotions about their life’s turning point is so powerful – for the student, and their families.” Catherine McCullough, Director of Education for the Board echoed Cameron’s sentiments. “I am thrilled that the this program once again met with such success, and am so honoured that our students have courageously shared their most personal and meaningful life experiences. We are certainly overwhelmed by their talent and honesty involved in this writing experience.”
Marymount Academy’s Production of Annie Jr a Success!
Audiences at each of the shows of Annie Jr. at Marymount Academy walked away smiling and singing. During the week of April 23, 2012, Marymount students and staff worked tirelessly to put on this outstanding production. When asked what they thought after seeing the show, several Sudbury Catholic elementary students said “it was so awesome!” It was a huge undertaking, from set design, choreography, singing and lighting – the entire production was top notch and was truly a group effort. Congratulations to all the students and staff involved in the musical!
Marymount Academy Student Wins Mining Week Poster Contest
Five grade 5-8 classes in the city had the opportunity to win a Discovery Mining tour April 30-May 4 through a poster contest for this year’s Sudbury Mining Week – and one of them was won by Hanna Knutson. Hanna, a grade 8 student at Marymount Academy was thrilled that she was one of the five contest winners. Her teacher, Debra Michaud, suggested to the class that they enter the contest, so Hanna figured she had nothing to lose by submitting an entry. “I love to draw,” Hanna quipped. “I gave it my all and am so glad my hard work paid off!” As a result of the win, Hanna’s classmates get to join her on a trip to Dynamic Earth on Monday, April 30th, as her prize. “It was so amazing to find out that I won,” Knutson stated. “And the fact that my whole class gets to enjoy the trip to Dynamic Earth with me makes it even better!” The theme of this year’s Mining Week is “Mining and Technology for the next generation.”
Sudbury Catholic Students to Take Part in Walk for a Second Chance- April 28
Student from all four Sudbury Catholic Secondary Schools will be taking part in the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury’s Walk for a Second Chance on April 28th, 2012. This walk is organized to support organ donation awareness and the Gift of Life which is an initiative that is fully supported by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board and its students. On December 13, 2010, the Board launched its own challenge to the Greater City of Sudbury to be the first city in the province of Ontario to have 50% or more of its residents be registered organ and tissue donors, and have continued to spread the word to schools and the community about the importance of organ donation. Catherine McCullough, SCDSB Director of Education is very proud of Sudbury for embracing this initiative. “I am very proud of our Board for partnering with the Trillium Gift of Life Network for this very important initiative, and I encourage the entire community to join us in this challenge – to not only have Sudbury reach or even surpass the 50% registration for city-wide donation in Ontario, but more importantly, to recognize that there is no greater gift than the gift of life.”
David Dibrina, Sudbury Catholic Student Trustee, has been working with the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury to continue to keep organ donation awareness a priority with students. “Organ donation is so important in saving the lives of others,” Dibrina stated. “It truly is one of the most selfless acts that we can do that can positively impact so many people. Students need to make sure they are registered (beadonor.ca) and talk to their families so that they know what their wishes are.”
The walk will take place on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bell Park Amphitheatre, Sudbury.
This is a walk for organ donation awareness and there are no monetary pledges.
For more information, please call (705)566-1328, or contact David Dibrina at St. Charles College at (705)566-9605.
Marymount Academy Takes First in Laurentian University Engineering Competition
On Friday, February 24, Laurentian University held an engineering competition for Grade 12 Physics students from the community’s secondary schools. Each team was required to build a machine that would transport material across a specific distance and then drop the material off at the end of the journey. The students then presented their creation and tested their machine againstt the other competitors. The team from Marymount Academy captured first place in the competition.
Marymount Academy’s Heartthrob Thursday Supports Heart and Stroke Campaign
The Marymount Academy Catholic Charities Council (MC3) presented a cheque to Karen McNally, Program Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation in the amount $1300.00 on March 27th, 2012. The money was raised by the council’s second annual Heartthrob Thursday event which took place on February 16th, 2012. As part of the day’s activities, students participated in a Zen fitness aerobics class in the morning promoting heart health. The students also took part in several other events throughout the day to raise funds. “As always, our students look forward to supporting such a key organization in our community,” Lucie Cullen, Marymount Academy principal stated. “Both students and staff at Marymount recognize the importance of healthy living, and will continue our support as many of us have loved ones affected by heart disease and stroke.” This is the fifth year Marymount Academy has contributed to the Sudbury Heart and Stroke campaign.
Marymount Academy Celebrates Franco-Fun Day!
As part of the school’s Franco-Fun day at Marymount Academy, the entire student body gathered in the gym as Grade 8 immersion student Regan Horner sang O Canada in French, grade 11 student Kiana Wardell said the Notre Père prayer and then the grade 8 immersion class sang the unofficial Franco-Ontarian anthem, Notre Place. Many other Franco-Fun activities have been planned throughout the day!
Sudbury Catholic Students Skiing at OFSSA
Kate Palkovits from Marymount Academy competed in the OFSAA slalom event at Blue Mountain. Kate was the gold medallist at both SDSSAA and NOSSA. Kate and four other Marymount skiers qualified for OFSAA and competed along with several students from St. Benedict.
Marymount Girls and St. Benedict Boys City and NOSSA Champs Once Again!
The Level 1 Girl’s and Boy’s Alpine Ski Teams at Marymount Academy and St. Benedict’s have once again qualified for OFSAA. This is the second year in a row that the two teams have earned top honours at both championships. Going into the season, both teams knew that they had the potential to be the dominant teams on the hill and the results of both race days definitely proved just that. At the SDSSAA level, Kate Palkovits found her best challenge from her own team as Danielle Burla edged Kate out of top spot in the Giant Slalom. The girls traded first and second positions in both races with Kate just squeaking out the first place overall combined times. Mackenzie Webber finished fifth overall and these three outstanding finishes earned Marymount the overall team title. On the boys side, it was Spencer Dailey and Zack Filipov trading second place finishes in both races with Spencer just edging out Zack in the overall combined times. Adam Goegan’s fourth and sixth place finishes were enough to earn St. Ben’s their city championship. At the NOSSA level, Kate Palkovits backed up her results from the previous week by walking away with first place finishes in the Slalom, Giant Slalom earning the overall combined NOSSA champion title. Danielle Burla and Mackenzie Webber finished fifth and sixth overall and once again, this was enough to crown the Marymount team NOSSA champs. For the boys, it was a bit closer at the NOSSA level. Spencer Dailey finished fourth overall and Adam Goegan finished sixth overall. Zack Filipov’s seventh and eighth place finishes were enough to give St. Ben’s the overall team title for the boys. The club trained Level 2 skiers from both schools also made a name for themselves. Lauren Kyle earned top honours at NOSSA and will represent the association at OFSAA as the top Level 2 female qualifier. This will be Lauren’s first OFSAA experience and she looks to continue making a name for herself on the slopes. McKenna Urso from Marymount also made an impression finishing sixth overall among the Level 2 skiers as a grade nine student.
The five top skiers for both Level 1 teams will travel together to the OFSAA Championships to be held at Blue Mountain February 26th – 28th. Marymount’s team will consist of Kate Palkovits, Danielle Burla, Mackenzie Webber, Kelsey Roy, and Lyndsay Greasley. The St. Benedict’s team will consist of Spencer Dailey, Adam Goegan, Zack Filipov, Tyler Provencal, and Ryan Bell. Marymount will be looking to improve on their 7th place overall finish in the province from last year.