Fourteen hundred students from across the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) have been invited to attend Free the Children’s National We Day – Canada event today at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, and two students will be presented with the prestigious Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award.

Zier Zhou, a Grade 11 student at Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute (VCI), and Lauren Thomas, a Grade 9 student at Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School (CCVS), will receive their award from the Right Honourable David Johnston on stage in front of over 16,000 attendees.

Zhou was nominated for her contributions to VCI’s Student Council, Eco Club, and Interact Club, as well as her work with the Canadian Cancer Society and her local library and hospital.

“Being presented with this immense honour helps me, not just as a student but universally as a human being who is constantly seeking to improve,” said Zhou. “I feel this award will urge everyone around me, as well as myself, to hold higher expectations for me and that motivates me to continue the things that I do.”

Thomas is being recognized for her involvement in many initiatives including her work as vice-president of the CCVS Interact Club, her role in Student Council, as well as being the founding member of the CCVS Free the Children Club. She also launched the school’s recycling program with the company Terrecycle, and is involved in many other extra-curricular activities.

Also recognized are the five students who participated in Hockey Hair for Cancer for their part in raising cancer awareness in their schools and communities.

National We Day – Canada is an invitation-only event with tickets awarded to youth who have made a positive local and global impact.