AJ is seen here with MHSAA President and presenter, Mike Angrove. (Photo courtesy of Robert Howell)

This young man is the epitome of good citizenship. Two years in a row, he was nominated and selected to run for leadership positions on Student Council. Both times he lost out. Let it be known that he didn’t pick up the ball and go home. In his own words, he, “…did not wish to squander the abilities and skills that I (he) learned in leadership.” Understanding that he was not cut out for a political career, he turned his hand to volunteering in the community at large and came away richer for the experience. Not satisfied with his own role as an ambassador for Mac High, he went on to encourage his peers to follow suit, ironically, LEADING the way by example.

AJ embraced his academic responsibilities and balanced them well with sports, a paid job and his volunteer work. The bottom line is that he set his sail, lived in the moment and was personally rewarded for his accomplishments. The MHSAA is delighted to send him on his way to John Abbott College with a $500 cheque in his pocket and our very best wishes. We hope to see his name on McGill’s Engineering roster and eventually up in lights as a Canadian astronaut! GOOD LUCK, A-J, and welcome to your Alumni Association.

No donation is too small. If you feel inclined to keep this young award tradition alive, please feel free to visit the Canada Gives web site at: http://www.canadahelps.org/ Enter, “Pearson Educational Foundation”, then leave a note in the instruction box saying that you would like your donation to go to Macdonald High School Alumni Association. Donations are tax deductible. -Viv