Halifax Students Beat out 1, 000 Classrooms to Win Canadian Citizenship Challenge

February 20, 2013

The Historica-Dominion Institute is pleased to announce that Park West School is home to this year’s winners of the Canadian Citizenship Challenge.

Halifax – February 20, 2013 — The Historica-Dominion Institute is pleased to announce that Park West School is home to this year’s winners of the Canadian Citizenship Challenge. Kelly Murray’s grade 7 class beat out more than 1,000 classrooms from across Canada for the top prize, which included a special visit from former Lieutenant-Governor, the Honourable Myra Freeman. Now in its third year, the Challenge asks youth, from grade 7 to 12, to put their national knowledge to the test by studying for and writing a citizenship exam. More than 44,000 students competed in the 2012 edition of the Challenge.

“The knowledge of history shown by these Park West students as well as their dedication to discovering our country is simply outstanding,” said Anthony Wilson-Smith, President of The Historica-Dominion Institute. “We congratulate them and all of this year’s participants.”

On February 19, the students were honoured at a special citizenship celebration. Park West winners gathered to hear inspiring stories of civic engagement from Canadian Forces member L Col. Madic, as well as the Honourable Myra Freeman. Students also participated in a Reaffirmation Ceremony to bolster their civic spirit.

"These proud young Canadians exemplify the importance of building active and informed citizens who have a greater knowledge and appreciation of the history, heritage and stories of Canada," said Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism. "By studying Discover Canada: the Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship, and winning the Canadian Citizenship Challenge, these young students have reinforced the fact that whether we are citizens by birth or by choice, we should all learn our past and the people and events that made Canada what it is today."

Presented by The Historica-Dominion Institute, the Canadian Citizenship Challenge asks youth to put their national knowledge to the test, by studying for and writing a citizenship exam. Do you believe all Canadians should be ready to answer the same questions about their country as new Canadians? We do. The program is made possible through funding from Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Visit www.canadiancitizenshipchallenge.ca.

The Historica-Dominion Institute is the largest charitable organization dedicated to Canadian history, identity and citizenship. Its mandate is to build active and informed citizens through a greater knowledge and appreciation of the history, heritage and stories of Canada. Visit www.historica-dominion.ca.

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For more information:
Davida Aronovitch
Manager, Communications and War of 1812 Programming
(416) 506-1867 ext 222, cell (416) 460-3284
daronovitch@historica-dominion.ca

Alicia Dotiwalla
Program Coordinator
(416) 506-1867 ext 244, cell (647) 618 2985
adotiwalla@historica-dominion.ca

Get in touch.

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Halifax Students Beat out 1, 000 Classrooms to Win Canadian Citizenship Challenge