Upper Island member Jim Pogson presented the Community Service Award along with a $500 cheque and the book Voices from Bridge River to Ava Shaw of Cedar Community Secondary School.

Dianne Michaely, Lois Earle, Ava Shaw, Jim Pogson and Joan Pogson

Ava was the valedictorian this year at Cedar Community Secondary School. Ava’s ”good heart, good mind” initiative became a real option for positive change in her community. Her idea generated a school-wide event, with topics tailored to mental health issues affecting students. The local school district has expressed interest in piloting the project before introducing it to schools across Nanaimo-Ladysmith.