A student 鈥渨ho has added karaoke and acting to his resume,鈥� Benjamin Kuang, a Grade 12 student, received the 2015 Student of Distinction Award for the Canora Composite School.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 The award was presented October 20 during Education Week by Shannon Leson, a member of the Good Spirit School Division board of education, during a specially-called assembly at the CCS auditorium. It is the fifth year for the Student of Distinction Award program.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 This year鈥檚 theme for Education week was 鈥淐elebrating Each Student,鈥� said Leson. 鈥淎nd we love coming to schools to celebrate. This is one of the best things about being a board member 鈥� spending time in school with you. We take every chance to highlight your achievements and it鈥檚 amazing to be able to do this in a big school division with 28 schools and students of all ages.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 When it comes to picking a student to be recognized under this program, the award criteria is rather simple, he said. 鈥淭his is for students who make a difference 鈥� they show respect, leadership and commitment to other students, the school and the community.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 When nominating Kuang, he was described in various ways, said Leson.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淭his student exhibits many characteristics including the joy, the generosity, and the caring shared with others. This student always strives for the very best in classes and in extra-curricular activities, but it is the many things done without ever being asked that makes him special.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 鈥淜uang has a wonderful sense of fun which, combined with innate leadership abilities, often results in spontaneous comedy. This student is not part of the football team but he shows up for practises, participates by helping the coach with drills and equipment, and cheers on the team. He welcomes the new Grade 5s with high-fives and a big smile every year as they transition to classes at the 鈥榖ig school.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Leson said that Kuang is known for encouraging classmates to persevere in the difficult subjects like calculus and physics. He gets homework assignments for friends when they are away from classes, and he helps when classmates are struggling with a problem or assignment.
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Kuang has maintained an average well over 80 per cent throughout high school, Leson said. His nominators identify him as being always respectful, polite and considerate with all staff and other students. Kuang is 鈥渢he only male on student council this year and last year, and he participates completely and whole-heartedly in all of the council鈥檚 activities. Invariably and immediately, he has a flock of old friends and new acquaintances at the fall leadership seminar.鈥�
聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽 Special attention was given to a YouTube video which was said to illustrate seeing Kuang in action. On YouTube, the video to check out is the Canora Composite School鈥檚 What Does the Fox Say.
鈥淎pparently, this student has added karaoke and acting to his resume,鈥� said Leson.
鈥淭his student definitely deserves the recognition and appreciation that the award brings with it,鈥� he said.
Using the opportunity of addressing the students at the assembly, Leson asked that the student body take note of聽 鈥淎nother very important day is this week 鈥� Bus Driver Appreciation Day.鈥�
Bus drivers are very important in education and are a part of the team that makes sure school is the best experience it can be, Leson said. The next time you get on a bus say 鈥淭hanks or simply smile 鈥� it means a lot!鈥�
