The school board is pleased to present the Citizenship Award to Ayla Lambert, a Grade 9 student at R.F. Staples Secondary School, in recognition of the positive contributions she makes to her school and community.

If you want to know what leadership looks like in Grade 9, you don’t have to look for the loudest voice in the room.  Instead, you only have to look for Ayla.

Ayla understands that being a member of a school community means more than simply showing up each day.  It means taking responsibility, setting an example, and giving your best even when no one is watching.  Whether she’s staying focused through a challenging assignment or stepping forward to volunteer for a classroom job, Ayla is someone we can always count on.  She takes ownership of her learning, asks thoughtful questions that help everyone grow, and gives her best effort every single time.

But what truly sets Ayla apart is her attitude.  We all know that some school days are harder than others, yet Ayla walks into the classroom each morning with a smile that lifts the entire room.  When the work becomes difficult, she doesn’t get discouraged—she stays positive and keeps going.  And just as importantly, she encourages the people around her to do the same.

Ayla is also someone who finishes what she starts.  She has clear goals for herself and the determination to reach them.  She understands that success doesn’t come from luck—it comes from hard work, perseverance, and the courage to keep improving even when things feel challenging.

By showing us that kindness, responsibility, and determination belong together, Ayla has become a true leader among her peers.  She leads not by being the loudest voice, but by being the most dependable, the most encouraging, and the most committed to doing what is right.

Congratulations Ayla!