Winning Entries for the 15th annual African Nova Scotian History Challenges
There were a record number of student and school entries to the the 2021 African Nova Scotian History Challenges. Thousands of students from over 100 schools in every part of the province submitted entries to this year’s Challenges. Students from every grade level demonstrated their knowledge about African Nova Scotian history, heritage, and culture using a vast array of mediums. The quality and creativity of the submissions to this year’s Challenges was unparalleled.
We were thrilled to announce the winners in our virtual ceremony that premiered on Friday, May 21st at 9 AM. If you missed it, or simply want to watch it again, the video is posted below.
General rules, details, and challenges are available on the announcement page for the 2021 African Nova Scotian History Challenges.
The 2021 African Nova Scotian History Challenges Awards
The winning entries for each Challenge and the top schools are listed below. Congratulations and thank you for being part of this important initiative!
Challenge 1 – Breaking News!
For Challenge 1, students were asked to produce a video or written report about one of the following social activists; Viola Desmond, Eddie Carvery, Burnley ‘Rocky’ Jones, or Kirk Johnston.
Top Entry
Class project
Video report about Rocky Jones, Includes interviews with Rocky’s son, Augy, and witness, Rodney Small
Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional
Teacher is Ms. Janie Lumsden, Grade 9.
Honourable Mentions
Isaiah Preeper & Kate MacDonald
Two poems inspired by social justice, “Tell them that I am Viola Desmond”
From Springhill High School, Grade 10
Teacher is Ms. Lyndsey Morris.
Faith Hopkins
Essay about Eddie Carvery
From Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School
Teacher is Ms. Emily Davies, Grade 9.
Andrew Norman & Elijah MacCormack
The legacy of Kirk Johnson
From Baddeck Academy
Teacher is Mr. Dale Winters, Grade 10.
Janaya Morton-Riley
‘Interview’ with Viola. Janaya played the role of both the interviewer and Viola.
West Highlands School (Amherst)
Teacher is Mr. Shane Dove-Blagdon, Grade 5.
Mikayla Wheeler & Daniella Abiagom
Picture and powerful poem about Viola Desmond
Rocky Lake Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Briana Robinson, Grade 5.
Class project
Video, all about Viola Desmond
Yarmouth Elementary School
Teachers are Ms. Heidi Durkee & Ms. Kelsie Smith, Grades Primary & 1
Marjorie Deion, is the student support worker.
Challenge 2 – African Nova Scotian Communities
For Challenge 2, students wrote or created a visual display about an African Nova Scotian Community or they interviewed an African Nova Scotian elder about the changes to their community during their lifetime.
Top Entry
Shalamar, Jordan, and Ethan
Interviews with community leaders and elders of New Glasgow
North Nova Education Centre, High School
Teachers are Ms. Myla Borden and Shawna-Kay Lawrence, Grades 10 -12.
Honourable Mentions
Alden Hiltz
Essay about Birchtown and Shelburne
From Bicentennial School
Teacher is Wendy Driscoll, Grade 7.
Felicity Power
Poster and painting of North Preston
Park West School
Teacher is Danielle Theriault, Grade 9.
Hadley Morrison
All about Weymouth Falls
St. Catherine’ School
Teacher is Ms. Lisa Allen, Grade 6.
Class project
Photo album, “We are Dartmouth Proud”
John MacNeil Elementary
Teacher is Mr. Mathew Montgomery, Grade 5 & 6.
Sarah Mallard and Natasha Day-Moor
Model of Seaview Church, Africville
Madeline Symonds Middle School
Teacher is Ms. Chasity St. Louis, Grade 9.
Class project
PowerPoint, “All about African Nova Scotians”
Chebucto Heights Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Briony Daley, Grade 6.
Class projects
North Preston Days
Nelson Whynder Elementary
Ms. Jean Simmons, Grade 4 and Ms. Amie LeBlanc, Grade 5/6.
Mehes Mirza
Drawing of signposts to Black Communities
Madeline Symonds Middle School
Teacher is Mr. Michael Comeau, Grade 9.
Challenge 3 – Notable Nova Scotians
For Challenge 3, students wrote about or created a visual display about an African Nova Scotian who has contributed to the political, social, or cultural life of our province and our country or students nominated an African Nova Scotian as a Notable Nova Scotian.
Top Entry
School submission from Sydney Academy
Video of Notable Nova Scotians, set to ‘Lift Every Voice’ sung by Alicia Keyes.
Mr. Michael MacNamara, Grades 9, 10 & 11.
Honourable Mentions
Julia Mae MacDonald
Essay about the Black Battalion
Dr. J.H. Gillis Regional High School
Teacher is Ms. Ann MacFarlane, Grade 10.
Class Project
The life of Senator Wanda Thomas-Bernard
Springhill Junior High
Teacher is Ms. Nayo Upshaw, Grade 7.
Seren AlMasalma & Noran Hassan
Clay figures of 6 African Nova Scotian notables
Park West School
Teacher is Ms. J. Tasker, Grade 8.
Nathan, Jack and John-Paul
Clay bust of Wade Smith
Kingswood Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Kelly Cyr, Grade 6.
David Balogun
Nominated Leanne Lucas, the first grad from Dal with an MA, science
Chebucto Heights Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Ashley Little, Grade 5.
Sylas Smiley
Nominated John Alexander Daye, a WWII vet, as a Notable Nova Scotian
St. Andrews Jr. High (Antigonish)
Teacher is Ms. Andrea Grant, Grade 6
Ariel Lourde
Report about Bernice Williams, founding member of the NSAACP
John W. MacLeod Flemming Tower School
Teacher is Mr. Conor Trach.
Charlie Simpson
Letter to Buddy Daye
St. Joseph’s Alexander-McKay School
Teacher is Katelyn McKenzie, Grade 5.
Gabrielle Willis
Display about community leader Rev. Skier
Humber Park Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Chisholm, Grade 4.
Class project
Book about Carl ‘Campy’ Crawford
Shipyard Elementary
Ms. Gina Murphy, Grade 2.
Michaela Wong
“If you can see it, you can be it.”
Saint Mary’s Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Leanne Chisholm, Grade 6.
Chloe Hodgins
All about Alma Johnston-Tynes
Ridgecliff Middle School
Ms. Tanya MacDonald, Grade 7.
Challenge 4 – Top 10 African Nova Scotian Sports Heros
For Challenge 4, students were asked to submit their Top 10 List of African Nova Scotian sports heroes or their Top 10 List of African Nova Scotian artists. Students included a brief summary of each person’s achievements.
Roxanne P., Rachael K., Alanah K.
Top 10 artists
Fairview Junior High
Teacher is Ms. Ashley Norris, Grade 7.
Alison Tynes
Top 10 sports heroes
St. Agnes Jr. High
Ms. Charmaine Willis, Grade 9.
Nyasia Gallant-Reid & Tala
Top 10 sports heroes, including drawing of Kirk Johnson
Park West School
Ms. Danielle Theriault, Grade 9.
Sophie Lynn Morrissey
Top 10 artists
A.J. Smeltzer Jr. High
Ms. Shannon Chatterton, Grades 7 – 9.
Challenge 5 – Short Story: A Day in the Life
For Challenge 5, students were asked to submit a short story, illustration, or visual display about “A Day in the Life of a Black Loyalist” or a Day in the Life of a Black Refugee”.
Class entry
Freedom Quilt
Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School
Teacher is Ms. Tara Vincent, Grade 8.
Gillian Suelwski
Essay, Voyage to NS, “If only I knew what was ahead of me”
Westmount School
Ms. Julie Deacon, Grade 5.
Alden Hiltz
Essay on Birchtown and Shelburne
Bicentennial School
Wendy Driscoll, Grade 7.
Challenge 6 – Express Yourself!
For Challenge 6, students expressed themselves via original poems, songs, performances, artwork, stories, dance, sculptures and other media. Students’ creativity was on full display for this Challenge.
Anna Rieksts – “Portrait of Portia” done in Charcoal
Sophie-Ann Hillis – “Painting of African Woman”, Oil on board
Bicentennial School
Teacher is Wendy Driscoll, Grade 7.
Leen El Helwe
Sculpture, Fist of Black Power
Fairview Junior High School
Teacher is Ms. Ashlea Bungay, Grades 7&8.
Paige Edwards – Painting of a woman
Morgan Marks – Pencil portrait of a woman
Harold T. Barrett School
Teacher is Ms. Gouthro, Grade 6.
Anika Martin – painting of a woman, framed, with flowers
Kayleigh Fowler – painting of a woman with big smile
Lily Brown – kente painting of woman, on rough-edged canvas
Astral Drive Junior High
Teacher is Ms. Megan Neaves, Grade 8.
Maddie Cormier-Vienneau and Jamie Marsh
Silhouette of a woman
Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School
Teacher is Ms. Tara Vincent, Grade 8.
MacKenzie Hickey – drawing of Black girl with glasses
Oliva Smith – woman and African Nova Scotian names
Cunard Junior High
Teacher is Ms. Kelsey Johnston, Grade 7.
Samson Kebede
Sculpture of Quentrel, in a bottle
St. Joseph’s Alexander- McKay School
Teacher is Ms. Tanya Deware, Grade 5.
Kimora Sparks
Dance video
Michael Wallace Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Gina Dunn, Grade 3.
Class project
Giant ‘flag’ poster with 15 panel poster/quilt
Ian Forsyth Elementary
Ms. Meghan Doucette and Kara Slawter, Primary.
Class project
African masks, individual and collective
Hammonds Plains Consolidated School
Teachers are Ms. Malone, Ms. Shanahan, Ms. Marsman, and Ms. Fraser.
Kieron Cook
Girl with Afro
A.J. Smeltzer Jr. High
Ms. Shannon Chatterton, Grades 7-9.
Frania Andresen
Denim jacket embroidered with Africville scene
Chebucto Heights Elementary
Teacher is Mme Quinn, Grade 6.
Top School Entries
Top Entry, High School
Deyoncé Gibson-Simmonds
The weekend Musician
Lockview High School
Teacher is Ms. Young-Lim Lee, Grade 9.
Top Entry, Junior High
Kaelyn Ross-Richards
“I Stand on Your Shoulders”
Brookhouse Elementary
Teacher is Ms Victoria Fioratos, Grade 6.
Top Entry, Elementary
Khadi AlMaktoomi-Hiscock
“My Grandmothers and Me”
Champlain Elementary
Teacher is Ms. Krista Bishop, Grade 4.
These schools demonstrated their knowledge about African Nova Scotian history, heritage, and culture. Their submissions to the Challenges illustrate their commitment to teaching and celebrating Black History in Nova Scotia.
- Bell Park Academic Centre
- Chebucto Heights Elementary
- Cunard Junior High
- Greenfield Elementary School
- Hammonds Plains
- Harold T. Barrett School
- Harbourside Elementary
- Madeline Symonds Middle School
- Park West School
- Plymouth School
- Rockingham School
- Rocky Lake Elementary
- Shipyard Elementary
- St. Joseph’s Alexander- McKay School
- Sydney Academy
- Whitney Pier Memorial Middle School