Medway High School

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 – Ashley Gundry is one teenager who proves that perseverance pays.

Like other students at Glencoe District High School, Ashley is active in the school band and choir, the Social Justice League and the Music Arts Council.

But unlike many students, Ashley has accumulated an impressive 118 hours of volunteer service – all while working 25 hours a week since Grade 8 to contribute to the family income of her single-parent home.

Ashley, who was recently accepted at Fanshawe College, is one of 29 Thames Valley students whose achievements will be recognized at the 39th annual McTavish Awards on Thursday, April 12, 2012.

The award, sponsored by District 11 of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF), recognizes high school graduates who have overcome significant obstacles in their lives, such as attending school as new Canadians, living with physical and emotional challenges or having to support themselves financially because of family hardships.

Education Director Bill Tucker says winners of the McTavish Awards exemplify the philosophy of the Thames Valley school system, in which each student, every day, is encouraged to develop as a whole person.

“Well-rounded development of the individual – including the physical, mental, emotional, social and moral sides – was integral to Ernie and Ted McTavish’s understanding of education, and it remains the focus of the Thames Valley system today.”

The late Ernie and Ted McTavish, a father and son, both taught in Thames Valley secondary schools. (See the PDF below for more details about the awards.)

What: McTavish Awards
Where: Sir George Ross Secondary School, 365 Belfield Street, London
When: Thursday, April 12, 2012, 4:30 p.m. (Group photos at 5 p.m., awards dinner at 5:15 p.m.)

For More Information:
Jeff Ste. Marie, Transportation Technology
Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School
519-452-2840 j.stemarie@tvdsb.on.ca

Media Release (pdf file - 31kb)

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