New Westminster resident Paul Johansen was a co-winner of the George Matthews Award for Excellence in parent leadership at a gathering of parents from across the province on the weekend.
Johansen, a local parent and longtime school district critic, shared the award from the British Columbia Confederation of Parent Advisory Councils with Bob Holmes from the Surrey school district.
"It's a real honour and a real privilege to be a part of that organization. They do a lot of good work," Johansen told The Record Monday morning.
The award honours parents whose leadership, dedication and influence have demonstrated to the education community the importance of the parent role in education, said a media release from the confederation.
George Matthews (1941 to 2001) was a supporter of parents in education during his years as a manager in field services for the Ministry of Education and liaison with the confederation, the release said. His opinions and judgment were respected, and his fair-mindedness won him the confidence of the parent confederation membership, the release states. The award was created in memory of Matthews to honour his support of the parent confederation.
Wendy Harris, chair of New Westminster's district parent advisory council, also established a key presence on the parent confederation. She was elected secretary of the confederation's board of directors.
"She'll really have a voice for New Westminster now," Johansen said about Harris' appointment.
The confederation held its annual general meeting at the Executive Inn in Coquitlam last weekend.
HELPING HAND
Students at Urban Academy students raised more than $5,000 this year to help give clean drinking water to children in Africa.
Many of the students - the school has just over 100 students - have helped raise the funds by doing chores, a recycling drive, garage sales, sharing birthday money, participating in the Walk for Clean water and more for the cause.
A recent lesson at Urban Academy's opening circle assembly taught students about "ubuntu," which in the Xhosa culture means "I am because we are."
"They are being taught that we are all a part of a whole _ sharing a planet, being stewards of resources and understanding their responsibility to one another; in the next classroom, city, country or continent," Michael Bouchard, Urban Academy head, said in a media release.
Urban Academy teacher Allison Penner spearheaded the Run for Water at the school.
"I am so proud of these students," Penner said in the release. "They really do understand that they can change someone's life, and impact families on the other side of the planet, and they are empowered to continue doing just that."
Urban Academy students presented their cheque for $5,050 to HOPE International Development Agency's office in New West last Friday.
Urban Academy is a local arts-infused independent school with students from junior kindergarten to Grade 11.
NOMINATED
New Westminster Secondary School Grade 9 student Madeleine Clarkson is nominated for a Canadian Me to We Award.
Madeleine is among three finalists in her category, Free the Children Youth.
The award recognizes a young person who has demonstrated a unique passion and dedication to raising funds and awareness for global issues affecting children around the world through Free The Children's youth programming and campaigns.
Voting is done online. Anyone who wishes to lend their support to Madeleine can do so by visiting www.metowe. com/awards/en.
nhope@ royalcityrecord.com
