Stratford Kiwanis honours students for service, leadership and community impact
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
The Kiwanis Club of Stratford hosted its annual Kiwanis Service Awards ceremony recognizing secondary school students for their service and talent in fields such as the arts, engineering and science.
The selection process is application-based, focusing on students’ contributions to their community and organizations. Ten students were chosen from 25 applicants and recognized for their commitment to their communities.
Awards are given for community service, not necessarily for post-secondary education, as evidenced by the range of students pursuing diverse paths, including a fifth year of high school and a career as a dancer on a cruise ship. Students also spoke at the event, showcasing their maturity and commitment to service. The club aims to support children and youth in making their communities better.
“To say that this group of young people is impressive is an understatement,” said David MacLennan, Kiwanis president-elect. “It is not surprising that they are also high achievers in their areas of interest.”
Throughout the evening, students took a few minutes to speak about their accomplishments and future endeavours.
Rachel Barber was recognized for her participation in the Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts. Barber plans to pursue a teaching career after taking a fifth year of high school.
Olivia Van Bruwaene was recognized for her years of experience working with youth at Camp Bimini and for leading a youth program at Avondale United Church. She will attend King’s University College at Western University for a degree in child and youth studies and also plans to become a teacher.
Natasha Van Stratten is heading to the University of Guelph to study neuroscience in the fall. Her experience mentoring youth, working on the school yearbook and teaching Sunday school contributed to her receiving this year’s service award.
Cindy Yuan participated in the law society club and helped raise funds for Rotary Hospice. Yuan has served on student council as well as the prom organizing committee in high school and will be studying engineering at Western University this fall.
Gregor Harris will also study engineering at Western University in the fall. Through his involvement in the robotics club during high school, he learned the importance of teamwork in problem-solving. He volunteers as a mentor at Stratford Intermediate School for its robotics club, which contributed to him receiving this year’s service award.
Avery Durand has volunteered as a bowl painter for the Stratford House of Blessing “Empty Bowls” fundraiser and also assists at STEM camps at the University of Waterloo. Durand has been accepted into the engineering program at McMaster University.
Julie Herman is involved in several school initiatives and recently created a mural for the school’s front lobby. She has had her own exhibition at Gallery Stratford and was commissioned to design an album cover for a local band. Herman is also a member of the tech team at Avondale United Church. She will pursue a degree in philosophy of law at York University in the fall.
Clair Tiemans will attend the University of Waterloo to study biology in September. She strongly believes in helping others and hopes to enter a scientific field where she can continue to advocate for humanity.
Jack Lindsay, a Kiwanis Festival of the Performing Arts alumnus, is committed to supporting and mentoring others in the arts. He is beginning his career as a dancer with Carnival Cruise Lines and will embark on an 11-month contract this fall.
Casen de Graat worked at Camp Bimini as a camp counsellor, mentoring youth for several years. De Graat is interested in sports and sports injuries and will pursue a degree in kinesiology at Western University this fall.
“The goal of the award is to highlight those whose focus is on making the world a better place, one child in one community at a time,” said MacLennan.
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