In March, the world acknowledged the passing of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, founder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DOE) Awards program. Created in 1956 and brought to Canada in 1963, the awards program emphasizes youth involvement in areas of service, physical activity, skill development and adventurous journeys. The focus is on the setting and achievement of personal goals, with students able to earn recognition at the Bronze, Silver and Gold levels based on meeting the awards criteria. Over the past 65 years, millions of young people in more than 130 countries have earned awards through the program.

In keeping with our school mission of developing habits of the heart and mind for a life of purpose and service, TCS has been encouraging students to take part in the DOE program for several years now. Even given current pandemic restrictions, students have worked diligently to complete their awards goals and we are pleased to announce six students, including two graduates from the class of 2020, have achieved recognition.

Current Grade 12 student Grace Lu has earned the Silver award, a feat which included the completion of a 10-day hike to Stella Point, one of the peaks of Mount Kilimanjaro. To meet the physical recreation requirements of the award, Grace has played on the TCS squash team and pursued personal fitness goals. She played the violin and piano as her skills requirement, and to attain her community service hours she served as a steward in both the music and academic departments, and performed with the Chapel Choir during previous Week Without Walls programs.

Grade 12 student Aishwarya Rajesh Krishnan earned a Bronze award over the course of her TCS career, which included participating in the Grade 10 canoe trip to Camp Wanakita; playing on the badminton team; learning guitar and make-up design; and volunteering as a tutor through the School’s partnership with Rebound Child & Youth Services.

Grade 10 student Alec Hueston earned his Bronze level recognition by participating in a two-night, three-day canoe trip in the Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. Alec participated on the harriers team, was a member of the TCS improv group, and served at a local retirement residence where he enjoyed getting to know senior residents.

During the expedition in Kawartha Highlands, Alec was joined by Grade 10 student Ben Powles, who also earned his Bronze award this year. Ben played rep football and hockey, played the piano, and volunteered in the nursery and as a Sunday school teacher at Trinity United Church.

Jack Moser, who graduated in June 2020, completed his Bronze award requirements while a student at TCS, including participating in the Grade 10 canoe trip to Camp Wanakita. Jack was an avid golfer in addition to pursing personal fitness goals, took driving lessons to obtain his G2 licence and served as a Sunday school teacher at St. Andrew's Church.

Fellow class of 2020 graduate Naomi Larocque has also earned a Bronze award. Naomi took part in the Grade 10 canoe trip, was a member of a gymnastics club, worked towards her Grade 8 piano exam and volunteered at a local retirement residence.

Congratulations to all of the students earning DOE honours, particularly in the face of the immense challenges of the past 15 months. Well done!