CHIGNECTO-CENTRAL REGIONAL SCHOOL BOARD
Charleigh Marshall Honoured With Rick Hansen Difference Maker Award

When teachers from the Cobequid Educational Centre (CEC) discussed nominations for the Rick Hansen Difference Maker award in the spring, one name kept coming up -- Charleigh Marshall. 

Ms. Marshall was just completing her Grade 11 year at CEC, and had already made significant contributions in the promotion of Aboriginal awareness in her school and community. So it came as no surprise when Ms. Marshall was officially awarded a 2017 Rick Hansen Foundation Difference Maker of the Year award in June. 

"The Difference Maker Award reflects your commitment to demonstrating leadership in your school and community. We encourage you to continue making a difference where you live to improve accessibility and inclusion for people of all abilities," said The Rick Hansen Foundation in a letter to Ms. Marshall on June 19. 

Ms. Marshall is extremely proud of her Mi'kmaq heritage and celebrates it by organizing and presenting during Mi'kmaq Heritage Month, while also taking part in traditional drumming, singing and dancing with younger students. 

Ms. Marshall has toured with well-known Mi'kmaq motivational speaker Savvy Simon and during this past winter she travelled to the Yukon as a motivational speaker for Inuit youth. Ms. Marshall is also a strong advocate for teenage girls and equality. 

In May of this year, Ms. Marshall served as student co-host of the 2017 Rally Against Racism. Then in June, she drummed and sang in the class of 2017 during CEC's graduation ceremony, marking the first time this was done in CEC's history.  

"Ms. Marshall is a leader among her peers and in her community, and embodies the qualities of a true difference maker," said Gary Adams, Superintendent, Chignecto-Central Regional School Board. "On behalf of the board, I am proud to offer her congratulations."