Pembina Trails salutes our 2024 Governor General Award Winners

Congratulations to our Governor General's Academic Medal Winners. These medals are awarded to the students graduating with the highest academic average in their high school. In 1873, Canada's Governor General Lord Dufferin created the medal to encourage academic excellence. Former medalist includes Pierre Trudeau, Tommy Douglas and Gabrielle Roy. 

 On behalf of our Board of Trustees and Senior Administration team, we would like to congratulate these outstanding graduates. Your future is bright, and we look forward to watching what you will accomplish in the years to come.

Samuel Ferguson – Fort Richmond Collegiate

Sam Ferguson aspires to become an orchestral trumpet player and has started his journey this summer through acceptance into the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, an ensemble for exceptional musicians aged 16-28. The ensemble will be on a performance tour throughout Canada all summer.  Sam has accepted a full-ride scholarship to Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, where he will continue his study of music performance in the fall of 2024. Sam is an avid writer and has a particular love for history, social studies and literature.

Finley Ryall – École secondaire Oak Park High School

Finley completed an internship with the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Manitoba during her grade 11 year. This internship was key in shaping her post-secondary plans to study something in the realm of agribusiness, food, nutrition, health or resource and environmental management. She was especially fascinated by the production and consumption of agriculture. This experience sparked her passion to embark on a career to contribute to sustainable food security and nutrition in rural and remote areas across Canada and the World. She will be pursuing her studies at a post-secondary of choice in the fall.

Kara Campbell – Pembina Trails Alternative High School    

Congratulations to Kara Campbell the Pembina Trails Alternative High School Governor General Award winner.  Kara has plans to attend Red River College in 2025, in graphic design.  We wish you continued success Kara.

 James Lesyk – Institut collégial Vincent Massey Collegiate   

 In addition to his impressive academic record, James has consistently demonstrated kindness and generosity and is a valued member of our school community as demonstrated through his involvement in Key Club, Youth in Philanthropy and French Theatre Club. He has dedicated many hours to the TOYBOX Summer Internship where he interned for a non-profit organization focused on early childhood literacy, numeracy and well-being. 

Next year James has chosen to enter the Faculty of Science at the University of Manitoba where, in his words, he plans to pursue studies in “no clue”. We wish James much success in the future. 

Sophie Porayko – Shaftesbury High School

Sophie Porayko is a dedicated student who is fully engaged in her academic studies. Sophie is planning to attend the University of Winnipeg, majoring in English literature, in an integrated English/Education program. We wish Sophie all the best in her study!