GUELPH 鈥� Erin鈥檚 St. John Brebeuf Catholic School chose Grade 8 student Jack Santos as this year鈥檚 recipient of its VIP Award.听
鈥淛ack鈥檚 commitment to displaying Catholic values has made him a cornerstone of our school,鈥� states a submission from St. John Brebeuf staff that describes why Santos was chosen for the award.听
鈥淗e is dependable, responsible and kind.鈥�听
Trustee Sebastian Dal Bo presented Santos with the VIP award during a Wellington Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) meeting on March 3, and read the statement from his school to attendees. 听
Santo鈥檚 teacher, parents, brother and grandmothers were present at the meeting to congratulate Santos on his achievement.听
School officials describe Santos as 鈥渞espectful, inclusive and empathetic to everyone.鈥�听
Trustee Sebastian Dal Bo presented Jack Santos with the VIP award on March 3. Photo by Robin George
Santos is involved with many facets of the St. John Brebeuf community, including student 魅影直播, school spirit assemblies, fundraising and delivering lunches.听
During the Santa Claus parade, Santos dressed up in an 鈥渙versized cardinal costume with suspect yellow tights,鈥� Dal Bo read.听
鈥淛ack also has a swagger about him that is nearly impossible to quantify,鈥� he continued. 鈥淎 鈥楯e ne sais quoi,鈥� if you will.鈥�听
Santos goes by Jack as a short form of Joaquim, which means 鈥渢o be established by God,鈥� and 鈥渁 force to be reckoned with.鈥�听
St. John Brebeuf officials say the name fits, as they believe God has a special plan for Santos, who they described as 鈥渁 force and an unbelievably resilient person.听
鈥淲hen faced with an academic challenge, he pushes through, figuring out a way to be successful.”
The Santos family showing support at the award ceremony. From left are: Steve, Jack, Jorge and Sarah. Photo by Robin George
鈥淢ore importantly, his resilience has allowed him to manage tough situations both in his school work and in his personal life this year.听
鈥淲hat would cause most others to crumble cannot stop this force known as Joaquim.鈥�听
Two other Grade 8 students were presented with VIP awards during the meeting: Wintana Redie from Guelph鈥檚 Sacred Heart Catholic School and Gwen Leachman from Guelph鈥檚 St. Paul Catholic School.听
WCDSB chair Marino Gazzola described all three students as role models with contagious positive attitudes.听
鈥淎ll three of them are shining examples of the students in our system,鈥� he said, adding that presenting the awards to students is a highlight for WCDSB trustees.听
