Congratulations to Grade 6 Glen Orchard Public School student, Scarlett Chaloux, who received a James Bartleman Award on September 15 at the inaugural Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Day Ceremony at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto.
The award is a legacy of Ontario’s 27th lieutenant governor and recognizes Indigenous junior and senior students for their creative writing talent in three categories: fly-in community, on reserve, and off reserve.
Chaloux is from Wahta Mohawks and submitted a poem she wrote titled, On the Dock, in the on reserve category. She explains, “the poem is about taking moments of pause and reflection to be grateful for the beauty of the land and what nature offers, and to be in awe of the changing seasons, the gentle breeze, and warm sun – when everything can be quiet for a moment.”
Chaloux says she is grateful, honoured, and a bit relieved to have won the award. She anxiously awaited the news to see if she won and was pretty surprised and honoured when she received the call.
Her advice to other students thinking of submitting to similar opportunities is, “always try and put in the effort for awards and contests. It’s a good challenge for yourself, and you just never know.”
Chaloux’s accomplishment was recognized at the September 26 Trillium Lakelands District School Board Public Meeting of the Board.
