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Volume XX-Issue 1063 January 28, 2025
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Students Participate In National Youth Remembrance Contest 2024/2025
From left, Monica To, Autumn Court, and Peter Clark. Photos Lorna Hamilton.
Lorna Hamilton
From left, Monica To, Japser Wilson, and Peter Clark.
ship with The Royal Canadian Legion and categories: Primary: Kindergarten to Grade it would be impactful to write about someschools across the country, the contest 3 (poster contest only), Junior: Grades 4–6, one who embodies both courage and advoThe annual National Youth Remem- challenges students to submit their works Intermediate: Grades 7–9, Senior: Grades cacy.” brance Contest 2024/2025, with an entry at local Legion branches or through the 10–12. Meanwhile, Grade 10 student Autumn deadline of December 31, 2024, invited online platform RemembranceContests.ca On January 20, Peter Clark, director Court competed in the poster category. A Canadian youth to honour veterans and for video entries. of the Vermilion Royal Canadian Legion, self-described visual artist, Court created a foster the tradition of remembrance through Local Legion branches as well as the visited J.R. Robson School to present two piece depicting remembrance as a celebravisual art, writing, and video. Organized by District level will evaluate the entries and students with cheques recognizing their tion rather than mourning. “I wanted the eye the Legion National Foundation in partner- will forward the finalists to the Alberta/NWT success in the 2024/2025 Branch 11 Royal to be able to look at any part of the work command level with finalist Canadian Legion level of the National and get a story behind, such as the poppies from this level then forwarded Youth Remembrance Contest. Both growing from the helmet or the man kneelto the Legion National Founda- students—Aurora (Jasper) Wilson and ing. As a whole I wanted it to tell the story tion in Ottawa, where a panel Autumn Court—advanced past the local of the man or anyone giving respect and of professionals judges the level of judging. a new life to that of the soldier who could submissions. National winners Wilson, a Grade 11 student and self- have been anyone who served, whether he receive cash prizes, and first- described “literary expressionist,” entered knew him or not, he wanted his memory to place senior winners earn an the literary portion of the contest with a live on,” she explained. Her entry not only all-expenses-paid trip to Ottawa poem and an essay. Inspired by a social passed the local and district levels but has for the National Remembrance studies class film, her essay focused on now moved to the provincial stage. Day Ceremony. During the cere- Francis Pegahmagabow, an Anishinaabe J.R. Robson School’s Art and Techmony, they place a wreath on chief, indigenous rights advocate, and nology teacher, Monica To, expressed behalf of Canadian youth and highly effective sniper and scout during the immense pride in her students. “When meet the Governor General. First World War. I told them they had won the local round, The competition spans four “This is so great,” Wilson said. “I thought their faces lit up with joy,” said To. “Jasper created her poetry piece in Multimedia class, combining her literary talents with technological skills and an understanding of typography. Autumn worked tirelessly on her pencil-crayon illustration, even staying up until 3 a.m. on multiple nights to perfect it. Their dedication is inspiring.” Clark noted that Vermilion Legion Branch 11 received 81 entries in total, all evaluated by a committee of local Legion members and former educators. “The judges faced a challenging task due to the exceptional quality of the submissions,” said Clark. “It’s clear these young people put immense thought into their work. They deserve congratulations for their remarkable efforts.” Clark also noted that there are also winners from Vermilion Elementary School who they will present prizes to during their school assembly on February 9, along with a winner from Innisfree The poetry submission by Jasper Wilson. Photos submitted On-One-Knee illustration by Autumn Court. Delnorte School. Reporter