Jordan O’Connell of Colinet was recently awarded a 2024 Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Graduating Student Leadership Bursary, valued at $500. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb
Jordan O’Connell, 18, of Colinet has been named a recipient of the provincial government’s 2024 Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Graduating Student Leadership Bursary, valued at $500.
The bursary recognises students who work to make their school a better place.
“Jordan is an ideal student,” said St. Catherine’s Academy Principal Heather Hanlon. “He maintains honours status while completing a demanding course load. He also works a part-time job to earn money for postsecondary studies. As busy as he is, he still finds the time to volunteer countless hours to improve school life for our students.”
O’Connell led the Participation Nation Unplugged Program at his school, helping younger students ‘unplug’ from their devices and get physically active. He also led a Chef’s in Training program at his school, for which he received $3,500 in funding from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
“It was a lot of fun, I really enjoyed it,” said O’Connell of the cooking program. “The kids always listened, and it was fun to teach them how to cook some basic dishes — mac and cheese, meatballs, spaghetti, steak and potatoes, corn bread, muffins, sandwiches, and a few other things.”
Before the program could launch, O’Connell had to purchase cooking equipment, as the school had limited equipment available. He then had to carefully plan each lesson in advance and purchase all the necessary ingredients ahead of time.
“It is amazing to see children as young as five years old preparing and cooking their lunch,” said Hanlon. “Jordan's interaction with the younger students is phenomenal. They love the attention he gives them and hang on his every word. He is a true role model for them. Everyone is included and respected in his class, and they all enjoy a healthy lunch.”
O’Connell said helping others has special returns of its own.
“It feels good to help people, but it also teaches you a lot,” he said. “It teaches you leadership skills, patience, how to learn. So, it’s a good experience.”
O’Connell plans to attend Memorial University this fall to study engineering, either civil or mechanical, and said he’s grateful for the $500 prize that comes with being recognized.
“Every little bit helps,” he said.
