Sudbury Teen Wins Craig Noble Independence Award

(Greater Sudbury, ON)  17-year-old Rickie Lee Belanger is the recipient of the Craig Noble Independence Award. The Lockerby Composite School student received the honour at the Annual General Meeting for ICAN (Independence Centre and Network).

ICAN is a non-profit organization that provides services and support to help physically disabled people live independently. It has been providing youth services since 2001. It presents the Craig Noble Award to the youth client who best acts as a role model for teens. Craig Noble is a former ICAN youth client who passed away in 2006 at 15-years-old. He was known for his independence and determination.

Craig Noble’s mother, Joanne, presented this year’s award to Rickie Lee Belanger.

“Craig was one of Rickie Lee’s very first best friends. She admired Craig’s positive attitude,” said Joanne Noble during the presentation. “Rickie Lee is independent, conscientious, kind and fearless.  She possesses all the necessary attributes to be successful in anything she chooses.  All the best to you as you work towards the achievement of your goals.”

Rickie Lee is an active volunteer who participates in Lockerby’s annual cancer drive, yearly book sales, and has participated in the Power of Being A Girl Conference as a mentor. She is also an athlete who played on the Northern Sliders Sledge Hockey Team and is a member of the school wrestling team. Her goal is to complete high school and then attend university and major in English. She would ultimately like to both be an author and teach students with disabilities.

This is the fourth year ICAN has presented the Craig Noble Independence Award.

For more information:

Marie Leon, Acting CEO, ICAN

705-673-0655, ext. 221

[email protected]