Local student receives award from McGuinty government

For the past two years Jocelyn Bovay, a Grade 12 student at Moira Secondary School, has encouraged her peers to volunteer.

Bovay was to be awarded the ChangeTheWorld Youth Ambassador Award today. She’s one of five across the province receiving the award from Ontario’s Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, according to a press release.

The ChangeTheWorld campaign is a three-week challenge encouraging high school students to volunteer for organizations in their community.

Bovay organized a community cleanup and car wash to generate funds for cancer research and a collection for Gleaner’s Food Bank.

The award is part of the Newcomer Champion Awards. It was created in 2007 as a way to recognize individuals and groups who have had a significant impact on their community through active citizenship and engagement.

In 2010, 11,328 Ontario youth volunteered 41,683 hours for 281 not-for-profit organizations.

This year the awards were expanded to three categories – Community Leader, Newcomer Champion and ChangeTheWorld Youth Ambassador. In honour of Canadian Multiculturalism Day, 13 youth received awards at St. Andrew’s Club & Conference Centre in Toronto.