The winners of the 2014 Youth Storyboard Contest demonstrate that using violence is a choice and people can make better choices, says Valerie E. Docherty, Minister of Community Services and Seniors, and Dr. Philip Smith, chair of the Premier's Action Committee on Family Violence, 3rd mandate.
“I am pleased to congratulate Shalynn Gamble and Katelyn Singer who submitted the winning entries in this year’s contest,” said Minister Docherty.
This past fall, the Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention Youth Engagement Working Group invited Island students in grades 4-6 and 7-9 to submit a storyboard based on the theme of healthy relationships.
“Shalynn, Katelyn, and other storyboard participants are helping us understand that healthy relationships are based on choices for respect and caring. This is an important message for young people and not-so-young people alike,” said Dr. Smith.
Shalynn Gamble is a Grade six student in Rick Cameron’s class at Belfast Consolidated, and Katelyn Singer is a Grade seven student in Myléne Ouellette’s class at École-sur-Mer. Each student won $250 for her classroom. Winners were selected out of 17 submissions from across the province.
“I want to thank the teachers who supported this project and each student who submitted a storyboard,” said Minister Docherty. “Their efforts are a powerful reminder to everyone that the use of violence in relationships is never acceptable.”
The minister announced the winning entries in the Legislative Assembly today, on behalf of Premier Robert Ghiz, Dr. Philip Smith and The Premier’s Action Committee on Family Violence Prevention Youth Engagement Working Group. The winning submissions along with all entries can be viewed on the Premier’s Action Committee website at www.stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca. To view the photos: www.stopfamilyviolence.pe.ca/2014 .