CALEDONIA—Thirty-five students, along with parents and proud family members, attended the Caledonia Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion for a student appreciation day. The Legion honoured the top students from local schools (Notre Dame Catholic, McKinnon Park Secondary, River Heights Public, and Bellstone Christian) on November 27, 2024 for participating in the 60th annual Remembrance Day Poster and Literary Contest. This contest is open to all students in the Canadian school system. This event was emceed by Legion member Brian Haggith, the youth chairman of the branch. Brian said this tradition “started over 60 years ago with the primary goal of fostering the tradition of Remembrance amongst our youth.” Caledonia saw 157 posters along with a combination of 31 poems and essays submitted for judging. All first place winners went onto further judging at the next level, and from that group two made it to the next level; anyone who reaches the federal level competition would get to go to Ottawa. Congratulations to Emily Bajus from Notre Dame and Aria Dekker from Bellstone; both are moving on to the third level of judging. Each student was called up to receive their award, presented by Legion executives Kim Jackson and Anna Frigaultl; below are some of the first place winners shown accepting their certificates. —Haldimand Press photos by Randy Carter.
