Essay Contest 2007-2008
The theme of the essay contest was youth voter apathy.
Students were asked to write an essay in French responding to one of three questions:
- Why aren’t youth interested in politics?
- Why do so few young people today vote?
- What pushes you to be active in your community, whether it be in relation to the arts, the environment, poverty, etc.?
Congratulations to all our winners!
French First Language Category
The Distinguished Panel of Judges
Marie Larose
Paul Perron
Paul-François Sylvestre
Grand Prize Winner
Ashleigh Racine - Cambridge, Ontario
Ashleigh, a grade 12 student at École secondaire Père-René-de-Galinée, won a $20,000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa.
Read Ashleigh's essay: L’apathie domine de tous côtés
Runners-up
André Charbonneau - Edmonton, Alberta
A grade 12 student at Harry Ainlay High School, André won a $5000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa!
Read André's essay: Un électeur latent
Céline Courchesne - Sturgeon Falls, Ontario
Céline is a grade 12 student at École secondaire Franco-Cité. She won a $5000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa!
Read Céline's essay: Mais pourquoi pas?
French Second Language Category
The Distinguished Panel of Judges
Melissa Auf Der Maur
Lise May
Max Yalden
Grand Prize Winner
Sandra Rao - London, Ontario
A grade 11 student at École secondaire Frédérick Banting, Sandra is the winner of a $20,000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa.
Read Sandra's prize-winning essay: L’apathie chez les jeunes
Runners-up
Nicole DeMelo - Winnipeg, Manitoba
Nicole is a grade 12 student at the Institut collégial Garden City. She was awarded a $5000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa.
Read Nicole's essay: Ce qui me pousse à être active dans ma communauté
Jeryl Tan - Calgary, Alberta
A grade 12 student at John G. Diefenbaker high school, Jeryl won a $5000 scholarship to the University of Ottawa.
Read Jeryl's essay: Il est nécessaire d’utiliser le pouvoir de faire son X