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2019 Michael A. Strembitsky Award of Excellence

Wed, 26 Jun, 2019

The District honoured 19 nominees who were recognized for the Michael A. Strembitsky Award of Excellence at a board meeting on June 25, 2019. Three graduating students took home the gold, silver and bronze medallion awards for the outstanding work they're doing in their schools and communities. The Michael A. Strembitsky Award of Excellence recognizes students who exemplify personal, social and academic excellence, possess leadership skills, want to seek meaningful change and have courage, initiative and confidence.

Left to right: Michael DeMarco, Esther Muloki, Mehera Salah and former superintendent Michael A. Strembitsky.

Michael DeMarco from McNally School was awarded the gold medallion ($2,000), Esther Muloki from Eastglen School received the silver medallion ($1,500) and Mehera Salah from M.E. LaZerte School received the bronze medallion ($1,000).

GOLD MEDALLION

Over the past two years, Michael has represented McNally as one of our District’s Student Trustees. He created the McNally Assists Students Serving in Volunteer Experiences (MASSIVE) initiative, where he connected youth with local volunteering opportunities. Outside school, Michael volunteered as the marketing director for SUNIA, which is a model United Nations summer camp focused on empowering youth.

SILVER MEDALLION

Esther volunteered with Eastglen’s peer leadership program, helping ease the transition of new immigrant students into the school system. She was also an active member of the Boys and Girls Club leadership group and was part of the City of Edmonton Youth Council, where she is a member of the Urban Planning and Regional subcommittee, working on the Ticket to Ride—a fundraiser to help underprivileged students gain access to bus tickets and affordable transit.

BRONZE MEDALLION

Mehera is a natural leader. She was on the executive of the school’s Interact Club and school council, co-chaired helping hampers, founded Climate Leaders, led the gardening committee, was a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and partook in the Junior Achievement Program and WISEST summer research program.

For more information: 

• read their full biographies and view a list of this year's nominees
• review awards and scholarships available to District students