Outstanding Grade 11 students were recognized at the Lieutenant Governor’s Education Medal Ceremony on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Award recipients demonstrate achievement in three areas: academic performance, leadership qualities, and service.
Congratulations to the 2023 TCRCE Lieutenant Governor Medal Recipients:
Zara Hemani – YCMHS
Zara Hemani is a top-ranked student who has been excelling in the demanding International Baccalaureate diploma program. She has achieved academic excellence and recognition for Outstanding Contribution to School Life each year. She has been committed to and excelled at a variety of sports including Varsity and Summer Soccer, Varsity Basketball, Badminton and Track and Field. Zara is a positive role model for students and athletes and exhibits strong leadership skills. She takes a lead role in Healthy Promoting Schools, Peer Ambassadors, Viking Vibes, SPIRIT and Interact Club. Zara organizes and leads many interesting events that also include focus on welcoming and getting Intemational students at Yarmouth High involved. She is a volunteer coach with the U11 Basketball program and has been a Can Skate and Star Skate instructor. Despite being very busy with all of her commitments, Zara regularly volunteers at many events and has been a student rep on the School Advisory Committee for three years. She is an emcee at the Remembrance Day Ceremony and is committed to regularly leading the morning announcements at school. Zara is a summer sports camp leader and tutors math to several students. Family and her culture are very important to Zara. She is very respectful, genuine, kind and always considerate of others. Zara is a warm, bright, caring individual who has the ability to engage with people of all ages. She is an outstanding individual with an enormous heart who is loved and respected at school and genuinely committed to making a difference. Congratulations, Zara!
Ivy Cushing – YCMHS
Ivy Cushing is a top ranked student who has achieved academic excellence throughout school. This outstanding student athlete is bright, capable and committed to a wide variety of committees and sports. Ivy is a well-rounded, talented and competitive athlete who excels at Varsity Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Badminton and D2 Softball. At the end of Grade 9, from a large pool of outstanding young individuals, Ivy was selected provincial winner of the Ron O’Flaherty Scholar-Athlete award. Ivy has also been a volunteer summer soccer coach. At school, Ivy has been extensively involved with Yearbook Committee, Healthy Promoting Schools, SPIRIT and Viking Vibes. She is also involved with a Youth Group who organize environmental clean-ups and collect gifts for Love Week. Despite her deep commitment to academics and her very busy athletic schedule, Ivy participates in school theme days and helps organize many events. She is a natural leader and positive role model who is highly respected at our school. As a result, Ivy was awarded the Citizenship Award in both Grades 9 and 10. She is an outstanding contributor to the YCMHS community. Congratulations, Ivy!
Bryan Jensen – Shelburne Regional High School
Bryan is a conscientious young man who is active in both school and community. Brian has consistently maintained an average above 85%. He strives to do his best in all aspects of his life. He has been a member of the RCSCC 180 Saxon Cadet Corp since 2019 and as such has volunteered with this organization at various community functions such as the annual Remembrance Day Ceremonies, community Breakfast with Santa, the Giant Pumpkin Festival and other events as requested. Brian also volunteers with Special Olympics running practices, open gym nights and assisting at social gatherings. In addition, he is very involved as an NSISP ambassador and helps to organize activities and make our Intemational students feel welcome. Brian is also an athlete and has participated in many sports including, badminton, curling, soccer and softball. He is a reliable young man and is always happy to help with school activities and offer to assist his fellow students. Congratulations, Bryan!
Neve Pedro – Shelburne Regional High School
Neve is a dedicated student who has been very active in both school and community. Neve has maintained a 90% + average throughout her high school career. In addition to this, she has been actively involved in athletics as a member of the SRHS curling, cross-country, badminton, soccer, basketball and track and field teams. Neve is community minded and has volunteered for the Shelburne County Special Olympics, the food bank, the Shelburne Sailing Academy, and she has acted as an NSISP ambassador. Neve also enjoys pursing art and music and has done so for many years. She is a well-rounded individual with a kind-hearted nature and takes her responsibilities seriously. Congratulations, Neve!
Mya Mullen – Saint Mary’s Bay Academy
Mya Mullen is a Grade 11 student at Saint Mary’s Bay Academy. She has been an honor student since Grade 7. She is vice-president of the student council at SMBA and has run a lot of pep rallies and other activities involving the student population. Mya has been playing school varsity volleyball since Grade 7 and won districts with her team in her first year. She loves to sing and started singing on stage at a very young age. She has sung at many concerts thrown by her church and other churches around the community. Mya often helps out with fundraisers for her church as well as for other community causes. Congratulations Mya!
Joshua Raymond – Saint Mary’s Bay Academy
Joshua Raymond is a Grade 11 Options & Opportunities student at Saint Mary’s Bay Academy. Joshua is a hard worker and gives everything his best effort. He has been an honor student since Grade 7 and has been student of the month several times. Joshua has been the student representative on the School Advisory Council for several years. In addition to 02 certifications, he has completed a forklift course, a chainsaw certification course, and a scaffolding safety course. Joshua is also a part of a youth group who have helped community members by raking their yards, piling wood and serving breakfasts and suppers. Congratulations, Joshua!
Olivia Grace McGrath – Islands Consolidated School
Olivia has been recognized as achieving Honours and Outstanding Scholar status as well as gold and silver merit standing throughout high school. She has received numerous subject awards as well as Service Learning, Community Service and School Spirit awards. Olivia began curling at 4 years old and now curls on an adult league team. She has been a member of the ICS Badminton and Track and Field teams, winning a Coaches award in Track and Field for her dedication. Liv is an integral member of the Student Council and uses her position on the School Advisory Council to advocate for her school and fellow students. Congratulations, Olivia!
Ashlee Elizabeth Crocker – Islands Consolidated School
Ashlee is a conscientious student who has been awarded bronze and silver level merits throughout her high school career. She has played basketball for both school and club teams and is a member of the ICS and Track and Field team and Student Council. Ashlee is also a junior firefighter and helps the local department raise funds through community breakfasts and boot drives. Ashlee is a role model who breaks gender stereotypes; winning awards for industrial arts, completing co-op placements on whale watch and ferry boats and working in the lobster fishery. Congratulations, Ashlee!
Brooke Banks – Barrington Municipal High School
Brooke is a Grade 11 French Immersion student with an excellent academic standing. She is a baker, crafter and entrepreneur who has committed countless hours of her time to generously give back to her community. Since 2020, Brooke has graciously donated her beautifully designed cookies to the graduating class at Barrington High as a gesture of goodwill and celebration. She is heavily involved in school sports and has volunteered to assist with youth community sports including hockey and baseball. Brooke has also recently become an NSISP student ambassador, while welcoming and supporting new students who come to our school and community. She is an exemplary student and a friend to all. Congratulations, Brooke!
Marlee Bubar – Barrington Municipal High School
Marlee is an excellent French Immersion student who is involved in several extracurricular activities and contributes to many charitable events in her community. As a long-standing member of the Kidzact non-profit organization, Marlee has danced competitively in several provinces and is a mentor to younger dancers who look up to her for guidance, encouragement and support. Marlee is also a singer, a swimming instructor and a life-guard. She is an executive member of the BMHS Student Council, where she demonstrates an on-going commitment to improving her school, while assisting with activities that increase student engagement and promote school morale. Congratulations, Marlee!
Haven Bradley – Digby Regional High School
Haven has an impressive amount of school and community leadership activities that has made her stand out as a student-leader at DRHS. As an active member of Student Council since grade 7, Haven successfully took on the role of Prime Minister, despite challenges the DRHS Student Council faced this year. In addition to facing these tough challenges, Haven is also a student athlete as well as captain of the DRHS Junior/Senior Volleyball Team and assistant coach of the DRHS basketball team. Haven is committed to creating a more inclusive and diverse school community by serving on the DRHS GSA team. Haven also extends her leadership skills into the community as she was former Treasurer for the local SAC and now represents Student Council. Her community volunteer work includes various local Summer Day Camps, the breakfast program at the elementary school and community sports. On top of this impressive amount of volunteer work, Haven maintains honours standing in her school work. Good work Haven, DRHS is very proud!
Sierra Storm Cross – Digby Regional High School
Sierra’s eclectic range of school and community activities has helped her develop into a well-rounded student leader at DRHS. As a member of Student Council, she assists in a great variety of school and community-based activities. Each morning, you will find Sierra diligently preparing the DRHS breakfast table program, which includes an impressive spread of healthy foods for students. Supporting inclusion and diversity is important for Sierra as she assist in Pride Day, Truth and Reconciliation Day, Mental Health Awareness and African Heritage Month. In addition to being an active member of the school community, Sierra’s impressive artistic skills include art, award-winning videography, photography, culinary, gardening, hairstyling, writing and theatre. Despite Sierra’s busy schedule, she maintains a very high academic standing. Her academic skills in math and sciences will be used to help lead a girls junior high Science and Technology group. Keep up the good work Sierra! DRHS is proud of you!
Megan Rhyno – Drumlin Heights Consolidated School
Megan is a Grade 11 student with a high academic standing. After graduation from Drumlin Heights Consolidated in Argyle, NS, next year, Megan plans to attend Acadia University to become a Mathematics teacher. Megan not only excels in STEM subjects where she often picks up first place in a Science Olympics tournament, she also has an artistic flare. Megan is a positive force in the school, always offering a friendly, welcoming presence. She is very creative and is an avid painter. Megan has been commissioned to paint privately, and has even helped with school-based mural projects in the guidance office. Her poster art landed her a Certificate of Recognition from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 155. Congratulations, Megan!
Ben Gushue – Drumlin Heights Consolidated School
Ben is a Grade 11 student with a high academic standing. As a Drumlin Height’s athlete, Ben is actively Involved in basketball, soccer, badminton, track & field, junior hockey, as well as crosscountry running teams. Ben also enjoys serving as an Assistant Coach, and has trained as Referee for youth sporting events. Ben is currently taking the Options & Opportunities Program at Drumlin, completing a 100-hour work placement with a physical education teacher. Ben is also actively engaged in his neighbourhood, regularly participating in community clean-ups and serving as a Yarmouth Recreation Junior Leader. His post-secondary aspiration is to become a physical education teacher, working in Nova Scotia. Congratulations, Ben!
Keithan Llewellyn Hemeon – Lockeport Regional High School
Keithan can be found volunteering with the Lockeport Recreation department, July 1st committee and the Sea Derby, as well as helping Timbit soccer and Lockeport Elementary field day. Keithan also plays multiple sports and achieve good grades. Congratulations, Keithan!
Kaitlyn Ann Louise Stuart – Lockeport Regional High School
Kaitlyn is fundamental in so many aspects of our school and community, volunteering in and for her community hall by running washer tournaments, helping with Santa’s visit and preparing and serving at community supports. In school, she is key in the canteen as well as serving on student parliament and yearbook. All this while playing many sports and achieving great grades. Congratulations, Kaitlyn!
