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Five Comox youths receive Ray Crossley Achievement Awards

Five Comox youths have been recognized with the Ray Crossley Youth Achievement Awards, named after the late Comox councillor.
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Five Comox youths have been recognized with the Ray Crossley Youth Achievement Awards, named after the late Comox councillor.

Ethan Tansky of Aspen Park Elementary was nominated based on his leadership skills, and academic and athletic success. He is a talented young man of Metis heritage with gifted ability in creative work. This year, he won the Legion Remembrance Day Art contest for Central Vancouver Island. Ethan has demonstrated outstanding leadership with the Grade 6/7 leadership group such as putting together photo boards of students around the school, hosting aboriginal educational learning experiences such as the Metis Jiggling group and bringing storytelling to the classroom. Athletically, he won the 100 and 200 metres at the district track meet. He is currently the youngest by two years enrolled in the Lifeguarding and Water Safety instructors’ course. His leadership will be missed at Aspen but will be Highland Secondary’s gain.

Judd Foster represented Highland at the Skills Canada competition in electronics and won the gold medal. He will represent Canada at the World Skills competition in Abu Dhabi in October.

Reid Cochrane was selected Highland’s top male athlete this year. He was an Island champ in javelin and won a silver medal at the B.C. High School Track and Field Championships, completing a great athletic high school career.

Lizzie Gummer has been ranked the Top in Canada Under 20 track and field hurdler. She was again an Island champion in hurdling events. She was a silver medalist at the B.C. championships in the 100-metre hurdles but chose not to defend her provincial title in the 400 metres, instead returning to Comox to attend her high school graduation. Liz has accepted an academic, and track and field scholarship to Harvard University.

Taylor McEachnie is a compassionate, hardworking and thoughtful individual who made positive contributions to her school and community on a daily basis. She was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Highland Service Award. She was a Rotary Interact club leader, peer leader, grad committee chair and mentor to younger students. In the community, Taylor volunteered with the Salvation Army, organized food drives through ‘We Scare Hunger’, delivered Christmas hampers, and organized Mental Health Awareness events. She answers the call of helping others in need and feels it a great honour to do so. She is planning to study psychology at North Island College with an aim of supporting others with their mental and emotional help.