Three local students finalists in Franco Ontario competition

Conseil des écoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario
News Release

********************

OTTAWA – Ontario’s twelve French-language school boards released the names of 36 finalists who took part in the provincial Franco Ontario competition. Conceived in a spirit of collective success, Franco Ontario recognizes high school students who are actively involved in the development of Ontarian and Canadian Francophone culture.

"Students in French-language schools have earned impressive results on the provincial tests administered by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). And as the finalists in Franco Ontario have demonstrated, they have more to be proud of than their admirable academic achievement. This competition has showcased their exemplary character development and showed them to be responsible citizens", says Kathleen Wynne, Minister of Education.

“I congratulate the 36 finalists from the twelve French-language school boards across Ontario. These finalists from the Franco Ontario contest are an inspiration to the Francophone youth in our province. They make us proud to live in French in Ontario”, says Madeleine Meilleur, Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs and Minister of Community and Social Services.

On May 14, 2010, the 36 finalists, accompanied by more than 550 student ambassadors from the twelve French-language school boards, will attend a training day on the sociocultural engagement. Held at École secondaire publique De La Salle in Ottawa, the day will be followed by an evening Gala Awards Ceremony to honor the young francophone leaders.

Serving as true role models of cultural pride, each and every one of the 36 finalists will receive a prize presented by their school board. In addition, six finalists will take home top honors for the following categories: Community involvement, Equity, Francophony, World Francophony, Humanity and Expression.

"Host of the first edition, the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO – Eastern Ontario French-language Public School Board), hopes that the Franco Ontario torch will be passed from school board to school board in order to showcase Franco-Ontarian youth talent and achievement, "explained the project leader, Johanne Leroux.

Fianlists for the Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord - CSCFN board are:

Danielle Beaudry
F 12e
École Franco-Cité - Sturgeon Falls

Akeem Ouellet
M 11e
École F.J. McElligott - Mattawa

François Racette
M 11e
École secondaire catholique Algonquin - North Bay

********************