Local youth recognized at Legion award ceremony

Young artists, poets are writers crowded into the upper hall of the Almonte Legion, Branch 240, last night to accept praise, applause and awards. These students created exceptional acts of remembrance for the annual Legion Posters, Poems and Essays contest, held each year in November. Despite being a fall of labour unrest in the schools, the number of entries was more than double the previous year, and the judges had a difficult job of choosing a 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place winner in each of the fields – colour posters, black and white posters, poems and essays, further divided by age category. All area schools participated in the contest.

Branch 240 Youth Education Chair Jane Torrance stated, “I am so pleased with both the quantity and the quality of this year’s entries. They were remarkable in the depth of attention and thought that went into each and every one, making them true acts of remembrance.”  All entries were displayed at the Branch on November 11^th for the community to enjoy. The winners received a certificate as well as a cash prize at the December 8^th award ceremony. Branch President, Rob Madore, was very happy to see the large turn-out for the ceremony: “Any time we can get kids involved, we spread awareness of this great organization and support of veterans.”

The first place entries have been sent forward for further judging at the Zone level. National winners are displayed in November of each year at the War Museum in Ottawa.

The 2015 winners were:

Primary Posters Colour

1. Hailey Ladouceur, Naismith Public School
2. Lauren-Olivia Kentfield, R. Tait McKenzie Public School
3. Sophie Montgomery, Naismith Public School

Primary Poster Black and White

1. Olivia Falco: R. Tait McKenzie Public School
2. Georgia Meddings, R. Tait McKenzie Public School
3. Taylor Bersharah, R. Tait McKenzie Public School

Junior Posters Colour

1. Heather Joynes, R. Tait McKenzie Public School
2. Rhys Demianiuk, Pakenham Public School
3. Brooklyn Ziebarth, Pakenham Public School

Junior Posters Black and White

1. Julia Martin, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
2. Ty Elgood, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
3. Mason Spinks, Pakenham Public School

Intermediate Posters Colour

1. Maia Thompson, Almonte & District High School
2. Jaclynn Pye, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
3. Payton Neil, Almonte & District High School

Intermediate Posters Black and White

1. Shelby Farnham, Almonte & District High School
2. Abi Gordon, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
3. Maia Thompson, Almonte & District High School

Senior Black and White Posters

1. Tiana Thompson, Almonte & District High School
2. Mike Brown, Almonte & District High School

Junior Poetry

1. Jordan-Anne Rich, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
2. Hailey Bains, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School

Intermediate Poetry

1. Micah Della Foresta, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
2. John Marin, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School
3. Samantha Cooney, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School (tied)
4. Alyson Murray, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School (tied)

Junior Essays

1. Nova Holt, R. Tait McKenzie Public School
2. Lauren Deitner, R. Tait McKenzie Public School
3. Charlotte Gilmour, Holy Name of Mary Catholic School