Confed student receives provincial writing award

A Confederation Secondary School student has received provincial recognition for her creativity and writing ability in French.

Janna Hunt won the Marion Drysdale Award in the French Immersion Grade 9-12 Essay/Poem category.

The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) presents the award annually to eight secondary school students in Ontario who demonstrate a high degree of originality in their written work.

This year’s theme, “You cannot lock up an idea,” comes from the famous speech “Mouseland” by Tommy Douglas.

“On behalf of Rainbow District School Board, I would like to congratulate Janna on her tremendous achievement,” said board chair Doreen Dewar, in a press release. “We are delighted that Janna captured top honours for her written work in French.”

Hunt, a Grade 9 student, will attend the OSSTF annual assembly in Toronto in March, where she will receive a $1,000 prize in the company of her family and peers.

“This is quite an honour for Janna, Confederation Secondary School and the Rainbow District School Board,” said Confederation principal Pablo Gil-Alfau.

“Janna’s success is also a tribute to the French Immersion program which gives students an opportunity to learn French.”

The Marion Drysdale Award is a writing and creative arts competition open to all public secondary school students in Ontario.

It was founded in 1984 to commemorate the dedicated work of Marion Drysdale, a secretary at the OSSTF/FEESO Provincial Office for 22 years.