“It is an honor to support these two student leaders as they grow their leadership skills through various opportunities”

Lauren Carson and Lloyd MacPherson are the first recipients of the John Gerretsen Youth Leadership Award established through the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area. Lauren and Lloyd both demonstrate the qualities associated with this new bursary – respected school leaders who strive to develop their own potential as well as advocating and supporting others.

Lauren and Lloyd were introduced as the first recipients of this award at a regular meeting of the Limestone District School Board June 17, 2015. John Gerretsen was present to congratulate both students.

“It is an honor to support these two student leaders as they grow their leadership skills through various opportunities,” says Mr. Gerretsen. “Our communities will greatly benefit from the positive influences these two will bring to others as they effect positive social change.”

Lauren Carson attends LCVI where she has taken on many different leadership roles throughout her secondary school years – captain or co-captain of various sport teams, as a peer mentor with the school’s fitness centre, and as a member of STARs (Students as Researchers). Her own potential, and her ability to support others in realizing their potential, have been recognized with both grade and school leadership awards. Lauren will receive $500 to help towards the total cost of the Wilderness Instructor Course through the Gould Lake Outdoor Centre. The program is designed for students who are interested in working toward becoming a trip leader. The 18-day course will provide Lauren with the necessary skills to begin instructing others in outdoor pursuits.

Lloyd MacPherson is a natural leader, and demonstrates a great desire to help others. Lloyd has been selected by his school, QECVI, to attend the 3-day Ontario Education Leadership course this summer where he will further develop both individual and collective leadership skills with a focus on school-based initiatives.  The John Gerretsen Youth Leadership Award, in the amount of $1,500 will be used to support a one-day student conference that Lloyd is organizing for select grade 9 student leaders from QECVI and KCVI. The ‘Harmony Group’ will discuss strategies and initiatives to transition the two student bodies as they prepare to come together to form one, inclusive, new secondary school student body. The student summit will be held at RKY Camp.

The $2,000 bursary will be awarded annually to an area high school student(s) who demonstrates leadership in his/her school and community through such traits and activities as collaborating with others to achieve a worthy goal, solve a problem or facilitate change;  leading, advocating  and supporting others; being an accepting and inclusive  role model; communicating effectively with others; and by demonstrating  commitment, character, compassion and courage.

The bursary will assist the recipient(s) in pursuing his/her leadership development skills through activities that may include conferences, seminars, leadership camps or a government related opportunity such as a student paige.

Through his compassionate and courageous leadership as a member of Provincial Parliament, and Mayor and City Councillor for the City of Kingston, John Gerretsen devoted his career to enabling positive change, and to advocating for citizens, young and old, throughout our community and province. In recognition of his long time commitment and service to Kingston and the Islands, the John Gerretsen Youth Leadership Award has been established with the Community Foundation for Kingston & Area <https://www.cfka.org/> to support the leadership development of students in Grades 9 – 12 who would like to further develop their leadership skills. Students attending all publicly-funded area school boards are eligible to apply for the bursary through their respective school boards.