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Awards Criteria, Application and Selection

MICHAEL A. STREMBITSKY AWARD OF EXCELLENCE

CRITERIA

The nominees of the Michael A. Strembitsky Award of Excellence must exemplify:

  • excellence in personal, social and academic endeavours
  • keen interest in a broad selection of subjects and activities
  • willingness to seek meaningful change
  • initiative, courage, confidence and a commitment to excellence
  • co-operation with other students, staff and community members
  • potential to provide leadership throughout life
  • responsible participation in society

HOW TO NOMINATE

Eligible Grade 12 students are nominated by their high school principal. Nominations for the 2023–24 year are now closed. 

SELECTION PROCESS

Principals will submit a nomination package that includes:

  • a principal endorsement letter (maximum one page) 
  • a nominee letter (maximum 500 words) 
  • resumé (maximum one page)
  • a consent form
  • nominee photo (minimum of 2MB in size)

Nominees will also participate in a virtual individual interview between April 22–24. Once the interviews are complete, three students will be selected as the the gold, silver and bronze recipients.

The nomination package accounts for a maximum of 12 of 28 total points awarded in the selection process. Virtual interviews will account for the other possible 16 points.

At the May 28 board meeting, all nominees will be acknowledged and the bronze ($1,000), silver ($1,500) and gold ($2,000) recipients will be announced. 

OTHER DIVISION STUDENT AWARDS

CRITERIA

There are six other Division awards that recognize outstanding high school students for their academic skills, entrepreneurial spirit, artistic achievements, contributions to health and wellness or demonstrations of leadership and citizenship. 

To qualify, students must meet criteria specific to the award and demonstrate the following character attributes:

  • Engaged learners are motivated and actively contribute to the learning environment. They demonstrate curiosity and are willing to take risks in their learning. They are critical, creative and reflective thinkers who collaborate and communicate to solve problems. Engaged learners have a passion for learning within and beyond the subject area that will follow them throughout their life.

  • Ethical citizens understand they are connected to others and to the environment. They see beyond their own self-interest to the needs of the community and build relationships through fairness, humility and open-mindedness. They value diversity and teamwork, collaboration and communication. Ethical citizens demonstrate respect, empathy and compassion and assume responsibilities in a variety of roles.

  • Individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit are motivated, resourceful, self-reliant and tenacious. They continuously set goals and work with discipline to achieve those goals. They strive for success, are competitive and challenge the status quo. They explore ideas and technologies and strive to benefit the community and, by extension, the world. Individuals with an entrepreneurial spirit are resilient, adaptable and have the confidence to take risks.

HOW TO NOMINATE OR APPLY 

Eligible students can:

  • be nominated by a school staff member
  • apply for the award themselves

Applications will open in February 2025.

SELECTION PROCESS

Each high school has access to the list of applications from their school and will select one recipient for each award category to be acknowledged by the Division.