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Excellence in Public Education Awards

District 8 OSSTF (Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation) and the Avon Maitland District School Board are pleased to recognize the winners of this year's Excellence in Public Education Awards. Award recipients include secondary students, secondary teachers, support staff members, and community members. 

We invite the Huron and Perth communities to celebrate the accomplishments of these outstanding individuals with us.

Read the Program

 
 
A PDF version is also available for download below. 

2026 Excellence in Public Education Award Recipients

Student Achievement Awards

The OSSTF/FEESO Student Achievement Awards is a writing and creative arts competition, which is open to all public secondary school students in Ontario.
This year's winners include: 
 
Priya Pickel (St. Marys DCVI): Grade 11-12 Prose & Poetry - “Who Will be That Person” (Staff supporter: Scott Spillane)
Emma Carmichael (GDCI): Grade 11-12 Visual - “All fit but One” (Staff supporter: Angela Milley)
 

Linda Clements Memorial Best Buddies Award

Jaida Aidoo and Karter Van Altena - Exeter ES (pictured below with staff member Patricia Wood)
 
Jaida Aidoo and Karter Van Altena

 

ESSP (Education Support Staff Professionals)

Pictured below
Tanja Unternaehrer, Educational Assistant, Anne Hathaway PS
Sarah Stoll, Educational Assistant, Goderich PS
Jaclynn Bouillon, Educational Assistant, Hamlet PS
Michelle Black, Educational Assistant, Little Falls PS
Nicole Zandstra, Secretary, Sprucedale PS
Leana Diehl, Educational Assistant, Sprucedale PS
Leah McNaughton, Secretary, Upper Thames ES
Marissa Luna, Child and Youth Worker, Upper Thames ES


ESSP recipients   

Central Huron Secondary School

Pictured below with EIPE committee member Shane Taylor and Principal Scott Richardson
Allan Baxter (Staff)
Kassie Lammerant (Staff)
Clara deBoer (Student)
Jayda Mitchell (Student)

CHSS recipients

FE Madill Secondary School

Pictured below with EIPE Rep Anne Guay and Principal Katie Wilson
Jillian Underwood (Staff)
Tristan Bender (Student)
Aria LeRoux (Student)
Rowan Gaspirc (Student)

FE Madill recipients

Goderich District Collegiate Institute

Pictured below with EIPE rep Bridget Hayden and Principal Lucy Langis
Erica Oliveira (Staff)
Angela Milley (Staff)
Ellie Newcastle (Student)
Carter Beddow (Student)

GDCI recipients

Listowel District Secondary School

Pictured below with EIPE Rep Dana Thiel and Principal Scott Bannerman
Katrina Klemp (Staff - posthumously, parents Heather and Keith attended) 
Henna Patel (Student)
Angel Odin Lovaton Puga (Student)
Barry Promane - Community Member (Vice Principal)

LDSS recipients

Mitchell District High School

Pictured below with EIPE Rep Sarah McKay and Principal Derek Laidlaw
Jacquie Mohr (Staff)
Wendy Hoffmeyer (Staff) - not pictured
Annie Agar (Student)
Tyler Ryan (Student)

MDHS recipients

South Huron District High School

Pictured below with EIPE rep Tracy McLennan and Vice Principal Sandy Kunkel
Merissa Bean (Staff)
Anne Simpson (Student)
Addison Thibeault (Student)
Paul Ciufo (Community Member)

SHDHS recipients

St. Marys District Collegiate and Vocational School

Pictured below with EIPE rep Ellen Bettger and Principal Petra Goetz
Adrianna Hollestelle-Black (Student)
Molly Linklater (Student)
Rumley Snider (Student)
Phil Ruthig (Community Member)

DCVI recipients

Stratford District Secondary School

Pictured below with Principal Deanne Deelstra
Wendy Riehl (Staff)
Lucy Thompson (Student)
Avery Durand (Student)
The Lunch Ladies - Ruth Kneider, Cheryl Farello, Brenda Stanton, and the late Kathy Dalby (Community Members)

 

SDSS recipients

 

Congratulations to all of the winners! Well deserved!