The year’s big stories: People, who made a difference
PWMD|Terry Fox Music and Drama Students
A group of highly-motivated students managed to convince local school trustees to re-consider their request for more access to the Terry Fox school theatre. Students attended board meetings, wrote letters to the editor and started a petition and a Facebook campaign to win support. In the end, they managed to get teachers and many members of the public behind them and an agreement from the board to bring in an independent facilitator to resolve the dispute.
PWMD|Ruth Foster
She’s kind, she’s patient and she’s passionate. Naturally, she’s a teacher. And although she’s retired from her post in a biology classroom at Centennial secondary school, Ruth Foster still instils respect for the environment in those who will listen. Last year, there were many. As part of a cross-school stewardship program, Foster has passed on her knowledge of and respect for Scott Creek to students at Gleneagle secondary, Scott Creek middle and Eagle Ridge elementary schools. She also volunteers countless hours at Port Moody’s Mossom Creek Hatchery, which she co-founded in 1976, and speaks up for creatures without a voice. Also on her resume: her work with the Burrard Marine Enhancement Society and her mentorship of young environmentalists.
PWMD|Central elementary RAK
Paying it forward was the motive of Grade 4 and 5 students from Port Coquitlam’s Central elementary school this past year. They launched the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) movement by helping classmates, teachers, neighbours, family members, even perfect strangers — with simple tasks, be it carrying groceries or opening a door. That spread out to the community after they took their kindness to city hall and Feb. 13 to 17 was declared Random Acts of Kindness Week.
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