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www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, August 22, 2012 · 10 Public school board honours excellent students The Halton District School Board hosted its 28th annual A Celebration of Student Excellence earlier this year. One student representative was selected from each elementary and secondary school in the public school system to receive the Student Excellence Award. The honour is given to students who demonstrate outstanding qualities in more than one of the following areas: academic, vocational, athletic, self-improvement, community work, citizenship and student leadership. Numerous Oakville students were honoured at this year's ceremony. This is the second instalment profiling the local recipients. The first appeared in the Friday, Aug. 17 edition of The Oakville Beaver. All photos and profiles were supplied to the Beaver by the Halton District School Board. · Aneesh Thakore, Abbey Park High School: Aneesh's grades throughout high school have been exceptional. He has accumulated more than 400 community service hours. Aneesh demonstrates initiative and leadership in both school and community-related activities. He is a very successful debater, an important member of SOMA (Southern Ontario Model United Nations Assembly), DECA (Developing Excellence Celebrating Achievement) and is vice president of student council. · Danyal Younus, Iroquois Ridge High School: Danyal has participated in Amnesty International, Global Issues Council, PINK and is a LINK leader. He embodies the characteristics · Simon Harmgardt, Thomas A. Blakelock High School: Simon Harmgardt is an excellent student because he juggles so much in his life. He literally is a juggler: he has created STOP Simon's Tour Of Positivity, a performance of juggling and inspirational speeches. He takes this tour to elementary schools and other community groups. He also co-founded a group of teens that entertains senior citizens. In addition, Simon repairs bicycles to give to those less fortunate, both locally and globally. To date, Simon has repaired more than 300 bikes. On April 17, Simon received the Ontario Medal for Young Volunteers from the Lieutenant Governor, the Honourable David Onley, an honour received by only six students. Despite all of Simon's volunteer endeavours, he maintains an excellent academic average. Simon is an inspiration and a very special young man. · Mohammed Karodia, White Oaks Secondary School: Mohammed Karodia was selected as the student of excellence to represent White Oaks Secondary School because of his excellent academic record as well as his involvement and leadership in various co-curricular activities. He is swim team captain, Cat Crew leader, Diversity Committee chair, Photography Club president, Principal's Advisory Council member and Tech Crew member. He is a dedicated and kind student who puts forth passion, effort and devotion to his studies as well as his volunteering at the Oakville Public Library and as a classroom tutor. Aneesh Thakore Abbey Park Danyal Younus Iroquois Ridge Laura Fox Oakville Trafalgar Simon Harmgardt T.A. Blakelock School of a global citizen through his academics as well as co-curricular involvements and volunteering at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital. He is a track and eld athlete as well as a gifted writer for the Ridge Report. Daniel is very well respected by his peers and teachers and is an outstanding role model for the school's student leaders. Mohammed Karodia White Oaks · Laura Fox, Oakville Trafalgar High School: Laura Fox is Oakville Trafalgar's Student of Excellence for 2011-12. Personable, mature and always willing to help others, Laura has been very involved in student council and a variety of clubs during her four years at OT. Laura is an exemplary citizen of our school. it all started when my lungs stopped working... The feeling of not being able to breathe is one I will never forget. After being rushed to my hospital here in Oakville I was quickly diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The disease shut down my kidneys and put me in a coma for 15 days and in the Intensive Care Unit for two months. If it wasn't for the life-saving equipment in our hospital, I would not be here today. Brigitte Elise Photography Each and every year, our hospital needs hundreds of pieces of new equipment that will save lives and improve the lives of all us here in Oakville. Every piece is critical and every piece needs to be funded by our community. It all starts here with your help. Please give generously. OakvilleHospitalFoundation.com Please call 905 338 4642 to make a difference by donating to the Oakville Hospital Foundation. Charitable Registration #: 13145-3490 RR0001 The Oakville Hospital Foundation is grateful for the generous support of our media sponsor, the Oakville Beaver. Todd Sullivan at 5 Drive-In, Oakville