People to pennies: Young historians in Rainbow Schools showcase proud heritage

Students from Rainbow Schools who captured top honours at the Sudbury Regional Heritage Fair on May 9 and 10, 2019 delved into history from local and national perspectives.

First prize was awarded to Northeastern Elementary School student Will Mackey for his project, “A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned 1858-2012,” a chronology of the Canadian penny that included a collection of real pennies dating back to the 1800s.

Second prize was awarded to R.H. Murray Public School students Charlotte Bertrand and Brynn Boulrice. Their “Bell Mansion” project tells the story of the Bell family and their dedication to the growth and development of our local community. The project also included an intricately detailed model of the Bell Mansion.

“We are very proud of our young historians for their outstanding achievement,” says Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “They presented their historial research in compelling ways, making their projects among the best in Ontario.”

The Sudbury Regional Heritage Fair is a Board-wide event that gives youth the opportunity to research, discover and creatively capture history. Students shared stories of their families and communities, which resulted in a spectacular showcase of local culture and Canadian heritage.

A number of special awards were presented at the Awards Ceremony, including the Ontario Heritage Fairs Association Founders’ Award in recognition of exceptional enthusiasm and dedication to history and heritage; the Ontario Heritage Fairs Association Multicultural Award in recognition of excellent student achievement in research that exemplifies the diverse culture of Ontario; and the Shirley O’Neil Young Historian Award, among many others.

Students who win first and second prize have an opportunity to participate in the Provincial Heritage Fair. This year’s fair takes place on June 8 and 9, 2019 in Toronto.

A special thank you to the local businesses and community organizations for sponsoring the awards, including Ontario Power Generation, IODE City of Lakes Chapter, Finnish Canadian Historical Society – Sudbury, Sudbury and District Labour Council and Tony V’s Pizza.

Congratulations to all Heritage Fair award recipients:

1st Place
Will Mackey
Northeastern Elementary School
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned 1858-2012

2nd Place
Charlotte Bertrand and Brynn Boulrice
R.H. Murray Public School
Bell Mansion

3rd Place
Evelyn Holloway
Copper Cliff Public School
Canadian Women’s Rights

Archives of Ontario Award
Aiden Lippert-Murdoch
Markstay Public School
Dr. Roger Tomlinson

First Nations, Métis and Inuit Award
Logan Tomatuk
Princess Anne Public School
First Nation Culture

IODE, City of Lakes Chapter Award
Avery Jorgensen and Jini Van Der Westhuizen
Copper Cliff Public School
The Regreening of Sudbury

Olivia McLean and Charlie Volckmann
R.H. Murray Public School
Legend Boats

Dylan Collin and Kennan Toulouse-Janssen
Princess Anne Public School
Sick Kids

Ontario Genealogical Society Award
Austin Mack
Northeastern Elementary School
Who is Alex Trebek?

Ontario Heritage Fairs Association Founder’s Award
Lars Holm
Markstay Public School
Vikings

Teaghan Gagne-Wyness and Abigail Klatt
Princess Anne Public School
The Halifax Explosion

Ontario Heritage Fairs Association Multicultural Award
Amitoj Jhand and Kriti Sharma
Northeastern Elementary School
Indian Immigration to Canada: Past and Present

Ontario Historical Fair Association Thinking Award
Nicholas Shakes and Aidan Myerscough
Northeastern Elementary School
Ontario SPCA

Ontario Historial Society Award
Alexys Wagemann
Princess Anne Public School
The Edmund Fitzgerald

Ontario Human Rights Award
Leina Mills and Tessa Gour
Copper Cliff Public School
The Robinson Huron Treaty

Ontario Library Association Award
Willie Elliott and Dylan Bertin
Princess Anne Public School
The Future of CSA

Ontario Women’s History Network Award
Paungbiisohn Trudeau and Robyn Trudeau
Princess Anne Public School
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

Shirley O’Neil Young Historian Award
Ciarrah Beaudry and Mischa Faries-Diamond
Cyril Varney Public School
Residential Schools

Sudbury Labour Council Award
Tanner Ouellette-Armstrong
R.H. Murray Public School
Lopes Inc.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-674-3171, ext. 7217.