MANITOWANING—Jocelyn Kuntsi, a Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) student has been awarded a Youth Achievement Award by Ontario Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Ms. Kuntsi is a 2022 recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award. As was reported by The Expositor last week, she has also been named a finalist for the 2023 Loran Awards, ranking in the top two percent of all applicants from across Canada.
“I am delighted to join the Ontario Heritage Trust in celebrating this year’s exceptional award recipients. In a time of unprecedented change, their tireless efforts to help us understand context is crucial to navigate with wisdom and care,” said the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “When Ontarians are given the opportunity to discover and interact with cultural, political, architectural, technological and environmental history, they are more likely to better understand the world around us and better equipped to shape the path forward in a responsible way.”
John Ecker, chair of the board of directors of the Ontario Heritage Trust said, “The Trust is pleased to join the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in recognizing these outstanding individuals, organizations and communities for their achievements in conservation. They have each demonstrated a passion for their communities and shown the many ways that heritage enriches our lives.”
Heritage builds an appreciation for our past and for the objects, stories and places that give Ontarians a sense of belonging in their communities, a release says. “2022 was a year of change, but amid all the change that Ontarians experienced last year and over the past few years, our shared need to feel anchored in places and traditions, to feel like we belong, is stronger than ever.”
“The achievements of the 2022 recipients of the heritage awards safeguard traditions, places and stories that give Ontarians meaningful lives and dynamic communities and enrich their value for future generations. They demonstrate that the activities of heritage conservation protect what we value and do so with an eye towards the future.”
A release states, “Jocelyn Kuntsi has transformed conservation practices on her robotics team, in her school and in the community to focus on environmental stewardship in every activity. She is a leader in promoting environmental sustainability and stewardship through building awareness in her broader community, organizing collaborative activities and building partnerships. This work includes her advocacy to raise awareness around water issues through a 64-kilometre (40-mile) Water Walk, working with M’Chigeeng First Nation for shoreline restoration and participating in bee revitalization. She has also sent sustainable action plans to businesses and event hosts, advocating for reduced carbon footprints. As the Rainbow District School Board Student Trustee, she sits on the board strategic planning committee and has used her unique position and voice to advocate for issues of conservation and sustainability. On a provincial scale, Ms. Kuntsi is the Chair of the Ontario Student Trustees Association Working Group on Environmental Sustainability.”
“On her evenings and weekends, Ms. Kuntsi promotes and participates in community clean-ups and can often be seen along the side of the road in her rubber boots cleaning ditches and shorelines. Most recently, she developed a carbon calculator and shared it with robotics teams globally and hosted a provincial science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and sustainability conference.”
“Ms. Kuntsi’s impact on conservation is wide and measurable. In the school and community, she is the face of sustainability, and is helping to inspire a shift in STEM culture to focus on technological innovation and environmental conservation alike.”
Rainbow District School Board Chair Bob Clement said in a written statement, “Jocelyn Kuntsi is most deserving of this provincial recognition. Jocelyn understands and appreciates how individual action at the local level has a huge impact globally. More importantly, she has the ability to encourage others to share her vision and contribute to change. A natural leader, student trustee Kuntsi continues to make us proud.”
At the Rainbow District School Board February 21, Bruce Bourget, director of education said, “our very own student trustee Jocelyn Kuntsi of Manitoulin Secondary School has been selected as a 2023 Loran Awards finalist-ranking in the top two percent of all applicants from across Canada.”
“Of the 4,800 students who applied, 90 have been selected for an interview,” said Mr. Bourget. “The foundation provides 36 awards valued at over $100,000 to students entering university. Loran Scholars receive the country’s largest undergraduate merit award on the basis of character, commitment to service and leadership potential.”
“Congratulations, Trustee Kuntsi. We are proud of you and wish you the very best as you continue in the selection process.”
“Being a finalist is quite an achievement in itself,” added Mr. Bourget.