20 Students Receive Prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award

It was an honour to witness seventeen individuals receive the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Bronze Pins and Certificates during a ceremony held on June 23, 2025, at the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 494. To earn the Award, students must:

• Set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound)
• Make a positive impact through community service
• Develop practical and social skills that support career development
• Participate in an Adventurous Journey alongside their peers
• Improve an aspect of their physical fitness

Students and staff were pleased to welcome Laura Briscoe, Education Consultant for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada, who addressed the recipients and presented their well-deserved awards.

Laura shared, “I am proud to celebrate the students and educators of the Enhanced Construction Program as they receive the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada Bronze Pin today. Their dedication and resilience pave the way for greater recognition of the meaningful, hands-on learning happening in skilled trades across Canada’s public education system. The innovation and leadership happening at the GECDSB is representative of positive outcomes when educators and students are empowered to collaborate with industry and set meaningful goals together.”

While students are focused on completing the goals required for the award, they may not always see the broader impact of their efforts. With 20 award recipients this year, the Greater Essex County District School Board has achieved the highest completion rate for the Award in all of Canada, a truly remarkable accomplishment.

It is a joy to celebrate these students’ successes and recognize how their achievements contribute to confidence, skill development, and motivation to pursue goals.

The celebration also included the presentation of the Most Recognized Student of the Semester Award in the Enhanced Carpentry Program. This semester’s recipient, Jayden Sturm, was honoured by Dylan Zelko, Territory Manager – National Accounts at Milwaukee Tool. Jayden was recognized for his conscientious approach, strong dedication, and consistently positive attitude. His reliability, teamwork, and leadership have earned him the respect of both peers and staff.

Special thanks to the exceptional staff who make these programs possible: Justin St. Pierre, Trent Durocher, Superintendent Shelly Duben, Vice Principal Kevin Paquette, Paul Loncke, Chris Gosselin, and Logan Kane from the Carpenters and Joiners Local 494, among others. Their tireless efforts continue to elevate and celebrate student success across our board.