High school students recognized by Rotary Club for selfless act of volunteering

The Rotary Club of North Bay honoured local students with 'Great Student' awards for selfless volunteerism. Eric Taschner has more.

The Rotary Club of North Bay honoured more than a dozen students from the region Monday afternoon for their commitment to volunteer work, both in their local communities and abroad.

The students, hailing from North Bay, Sturgeon Falls, Mattawa and South River, were recognized for community contributions ranging from after-school clubs and church events to student council initiatives. The service club emphasized that any contribution of time is valuable.

“It’s so fun to get to make sure everybody has an opportunity to play, no matter what the sport or no matter who is playing,” said Eve Beaudry, a Grade 12 student at École Secondaire Catholique Algonquin.

Beaudry, who volunteers her time helping Special Olympic athletes train for an upcoming soccer competition in May, was among the recipients of the club’s ‘Great Student’ awards.

Krista Tucker Petrick, chair of the club’s youth committee, said students are often an overlooked demographic when it comes to volunteer recognition.

“Students are often overlooked as volunteers within our community and for all the amazing things that they do,” Tucker Petrick said speaking to the media.

Mataya Cronier, a Grade 10 student at Northern Secondary School, began her volunteer journey with a public library arts program for students in Sudbury. Her passion for music eventually led her to offer her time at the Bluegrass Park in River Valley.

“I’ve met a lot of great people and I think I found the right crowd to be friends with,” she said.

Another honouree, Maverick Paul, a Grade 11 student at Chippewa Secondary School, has accumulated more than 380 hours of community service. His extensive volunteer portfolio includes work as a children’s programmer at Gateway Church, a swim instructor with Neo Aquatics, and dog walking for the North Bay and District Humane Society. He also balances his schedule as a youth soccer coach and referee.

“I love to volunteer at the YMCA. That’s currently where I’m employed,” Paul said.

“I like to stay after my shift to help work with vulnerable people who just need more one-on-one time.”

Citing Rotary International’s motto, ‘Service Above Self,’ the club aims to instill the philosophy of unselfish volunteer service within the community. Tucker Petrick noted that this culture of giving is actively fostered in local schools.

“That happens in every single school in our city and our district,” she said.

“I think that you will find parents and educators are absolutely encouraging students to give to others.”

Now in its 25th year of recognizing student volunteers, the local Rotary club presented each recipient with a certificate and a $100 cheque. Their names will also be added to their respective school’s rotary plaque, an honour the club hopes will inspire future students.

“(Volunteering) gives you life skills not only for future employment, but to make you a better person as a whole,” added Paul.

2025 Great Student Award recipients

The following students from across the district were recognized for exemplifying the Rotary motto of ‘Service Above Self’:

• Abigail Harris - F.J. McElligott Secondary School
• Adelle Moon - École secondaire catholique Élisabeth-Bruyère
• Anne Parkin - West Ferris Secondary School
• Blake Daigle - Laurentian Learning Center
• Corbin Reed - École secondaire publique Odyssée
• Emmie Johnston - Almaguin Highlands Secondary School
• Eve Beaudry - École secondaire catholique Algonquin
• Jacie Martel - Nbisiing Secondary School
• Jacob Bigras - École secondaire Nipissing Ouest
• Kloey Ayotte - École secondaire catholique Franco-Cité
• Mataya Cronier - Northern Secondary School
• Maverick Paul - Chippewa Secondary School
• Noah Green - St. Joseph-Scollard Hall