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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 21, 2016 | 14 Student travels to France with Vimy Pilgrimage Award by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver After learning about the Battle of Vimy Ridge in history class, visiting the site in person was a life-changing experience for Oakville's Emma Mogus. A co-founder of Books With No Bounds with her sister, Julia, Mogus was one of 19 recipients of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, which included an excursion to France and Belgium to study Canada's First World War legacy. As part of an educational program organized by The Vimy Foundation, the April 3-11 trek included classroom education and daily field trips to notable First World War sites and memorials. The experience provided Mogus with a thorough understanding of Canada's role in the battle and the soldiers' sacrifices, she said. "It was really important for me, as somebody who's very interested in learning about Canada's contributions and history, to know how Canada gained recognition at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. It was amazing, " said Mogus. "It was a really great time to be able to share that with such amazing kids. I made some amazing friends on the trip." Students also went to several museums and visited a German gravesite to pay tribute to the country's soldiers, which was an "immersive experience," the 17-year-old White Oaks Secondary School (WOSS) student said. Mogus and 18 other Canadian students went on the trip and were given the award, which recognizes the actions of young people who demonstrate outstanding service, leadership and make positive contributions in their communities. "When I first got the call, I was so shocked. I didn't expect it. I can't even put into words how shocked and excited I was. I remember I was leaping up and screaming and getting my mom," said Mogus, on being named a recipient. is somebody that I really look up to," said Mogus. "She really took the time to get to know us on the trip, participate in our activities, eat lunch with us and make us feel important." While in France, the students attended the commemorations for the 99th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge on April 9 at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Canadian pride The singing of O Canada during the ceremony was a moment where "I've never felt so much pride in my life to call myself Canadian," Mogus said. "To be a part of the 99th anniversary with fellow Canadians, to immerse myself in more of our contributions... it was an awe-inspiring event," said Mogus. "(We were) reliving what it was like to be there about 99 years ago." The application for the award required the WOSS student to write an essay, which mainly focused on her philanthropy work, Books With No Bounds, her interest in history and leadership, she said. Even though Mogus is considering a science, math or engineering program for university next year, history was "always something that I never wanted to lose grasp of." Oakville's Emma Mogus was among 19 recipients of the Vimy Pilgrimage Award, which included an excursion to France and Belgium to study Canada's First World War legacy. | submitted photo · · · · · · Sunday Evenings Karaoke Monday Night Poker Night Wednesday Night Trivia Family Pub Open for Lunch Sports Teams Welcome Proud supporter of the Oakville Rangers · Trip Advisor's highest rated Oakville pub "It's a very prestigious award, as (the foundation) only chooses 19 students." This year's recipients visited Vimy with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Elizabeth Dowdeswell, who presented them with the award on March 22 at a ceremony held at Queen's Park. "Meeting her was incredible. She's an amazing woman and "I often try to spend time at museums, just immersing myself in Canada's history. I think people of all professions have a lot to learn and should be thankful for the contributions of Canadians in the past, present and future," said Mogus. Books With No Bounds, launched in 2011, ships books, school supplies, computers, toys and clothing to First Nation communities and other municipalities in Canada and abroad. Mogus has volunteered her time for numerous local and international efforts, in addition to Books With No Bounds ¬­ from shoreline cleanup programs to serving as ambassador to Children Reading for Children and the World's Children's Prize (WCP) in Sweden. When Mogus returned to Oakville, she had a greater appreciation of Canada's First World War contributions and the national anthem. "I remember the first day back and (WOSS) playing Oh Canada... Mr. Les Farrar's (teacher, group leader) words were ringing in my head that I would never listen to Oh Canada and feel the same way again. It was definitely true," said Mogus. "Every expectation that I had, from when I got the phone call or even when I wrote the essay, to now, was fulfilled and exceeded." Saturday Nights Live Entertainment This week featuring: Whisky Mountain and the Moon Shiners Oak Park Blv vd. Dundas St. Trafalgar Rd Taunton Rd. 231 Oak Park Blvd, Oakville The Pipes & Taps 289-863-1155 Hays Blvd Oak Park Blvd You get just one funeral. Make it the one you want. You are unique. Your life is unlike any other. By pre-planning your final arrangements now, you can choose the options that reflect how you want to be remembered. 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