Highlights: Peel Celebrates 108 Award Achievers

Peel District School Board Celebrates 108 Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Achievers

Last week, Peel District School Board celebrated an exciting milestone in the first year of its pilot implementation of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada, recognizing 108 student Achievers and 16 Award Leaders across five secondary schools.

The celebration brought together students, educators, families, and community leaders to recognize the dedication, growth, and leadership demonstrated throughout the Award journey. Guests included The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario; Carolyn Parrish, Mayor of Mississauga; representatives from Award Canada; Peel District School Board leadership; and local and international community representatives.

Students from Fletcher’s Meadow Secondary School, Lorne Park Secondary School, Stephen Lewis Secondary School, Streetsville Secondary School, and T.L. Kennedy Secondary School participated in the program throughout the year.

The students’ year took shape across the four sections of the Award: Service, Skill Development, Physical Recreation, and Adventurous Journeys. That looked like coaching youth sports, volunteering at community food banks, learning a new language, and overnight expeditions in Algonquin Provincial Park. Each student designed their own combination of activities and saw them through. For over six decades, this is how the Award has worked globally — non-formal, self-directed, and framed around four areas of growth that young people shape themselves.

In her remarks to students, The Honourable Edith Dumont reflected on the significance of perseverance and growth through uncertainty:

“Even in uncertain times, young people need not be defined by the challenges they face—but by how they rise to meet them. The accomplishments being recognized through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award are a testament to exactly that. Carry forward the qualities that have brought you here: resilience, curiosity, initiative, and a great capacity for hope.”

– The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

Laura Briscoe, Senior Director at Award Canada, also spoke to the deeper purpose behind experiential learning and personal development through The Award:

“Today is about purpose. Not education as a checklist of assignments and deadlines, but as something lived. Something that connects to who you are. When learning has meaning, when it challenges you, when it pushes you to grow, that’s when it sticks.

And what you’re part of here is bigger than you might realize, and we are extremely proud of all of you for this journey.”

– Laura Briscoe, Senior Director, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada

The celebration also highlighted the essential role educators play in supporting students throughout their Award journey.

Our CEO, Mark Little, addressed the Peel educators whose work made the pilot possible:

“Today’s celebration reflects the incredible leadership of Peel educators, who continue to go above and beyond to create meaningful opportunities for students. This pilot initiative has shown the impact of embedding the Award in ways that are both practical and powerful. Thank you for your dedication, your willingness to lead, and your belief in what students can achieve.”

– Mark Little, Chief Executive Officer, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada

The event featured musical entertainment from Peel student Eyon Payton and hospitality prepared by students from Judith Nyman Secondary School.

This was Peel District School Board’s first year with us, and it won’t be their last. With strong momentum from the pilot, the program is set to expand to more schools across the board.

To every Peel student who completed their Award this year — congratulations! And to the educators who carried this pilot through its first year — thank you.