Calling All Youth!

From October to December 2008, Markham ran
an online challenge for Markham students, ages 11 to 18, to give them the opportunity to share their ideas on the future of Markham and engage them in helping Markham become a healthier and more vibrant community.

The Quest for the Best Markham, called for
short, written submissions about how to
achieve a greener community. The contest received more than 2,000 submissions from Markham students.

Ideas submitted are being considered for Markham's Green Print – a community sustainability plan that will help the community achieve a balanced approach to environment, culture, social well-being and the economy.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Quest. We enjoyed reading all of your submissions - as always you did Markham proud. Stay tuned to find out what we did with your winning ideas!

Keep those ideas Coming!

Just because this contest has ended doesn't mean we want to stop hearing from you! We encourage all Markham students to continue participating. Submit your ideas and check us out on Facebook.

We are thrilled to announce the three individuals and three schools who took top honours in our Quest for the Best Markham contest.

Take a long look at our winners now, because they will undoubtedly be among the "who's who" of Markham's future leaders.

Winners of the challenge were announced in February 2009 at an event at Markville Mall that featured guest speaker Michael Smith from
“Me to We” Responsible Style and local bands The Diverse Attraction and The Fitzpatrick Incident

TOP STUDENTS

First Place: Stephanie Chandrakumar
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Elementary School
Prize: bike and helmet (value of up to $500)
Read Winning Entry (24k/1p)

Second Place: Diego Santesteban
Thornhill Secondary School
Prize: digital camera (value of $350)
Read Winning Entry (24k/1p)

Third Place: Keane Aldrich Go Tan
Markham District High School
Prize: Apple 8GB iPod Nano (value of $200)
Read Winning Entry (24k/1p)

Honourable Mentions:

• Asma Iqbal, Markham Gateway Public School
• Brian Thilagarajah, Markham Gateway Public School
• Nick Prasad, Brother André Catholic High School
• Arundhati Ganesh, Coledale Public School
• Gabriel Shifferaw, Father Michael McGivney Catholic High School
• Samantha Leung, Markham District High School
• Jocelynn Rennie, Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School
• Steven Sherman, Thornhill Secondary School
• Stefania Chan, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School
• Muchen Zhou, St. Justin Martyr Catholic Elementary School
• Ansen On, St. Justin Martyr Catholic Elementary School
• Cindy Su, Highgate Public School

TOP SCHOOLS

First Place: Pierre Elliott Trudeau High School
Level of participation: 713 students
Prize: $2,500 to be used towards improving the sustainability of the school
                       
Second Place: St. Justin Martyr Catholic Elementary School           
Level of participation: 175 students
Prize: $1,000 to be used towards improving the sustainability of the school
                       
Third Place: Markville Secondary School               
Level of participation: 51 students
Prize: $500 to be used towards improving the sustainability of the school  

Honourable mentions:

• Markham Gateway Public School                  
• St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Elementary School                  
• Markham District High School                       
• Wismer Public School                                               
• Brother André Catholic High School                          
• Thornhill Secondary School                                       
• Unionville Meadows Public School                
• Unionville High School                       
• James Robinson Public School
• Milliken Mills High School
• San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Elementary School