The Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute is excited to share that the African Nova Scotian History Challenges are back for 2021-2022. This year, we’re introducing a few new challenges, a virtual component for improved accessibility, and an online entry form!
We understand that mailing submissions or dropping them off at our office in Halifax may not be possible for all who wish to participate in the Challenges. You may now submit virtual entries by shared link or file upload. A virtual entry can be a picture, an audio clip , a video, or a document. Of course, you can still submit physical entries by mail or drop-off.
To facilitate this, we have a brand new online entry form that covers both virtual and physical entries!
The added virtual and online components will hopefully mean Nova Scotia’s diverse communities and the rich history of African Nova Scotians will be explored by students from all across the province.
Check out this year’s brochure for all the details on the six Challenges. And be sure to read our rules and regulations before submitting your entries. We’ve also included a simple judging rubric to help you and your students better understand what our judges are looking for when going through the entries for each challenge.
This year’s Challenges will open December 1, 2021 and close February 18, 2022. We will be accepting entries until Wednesday, February 23.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact historychallenges@dbdli.ca. We can’t wait to see what your students create to celebrate African Nova Scotian history and heritage!
The top school awards are traditionally presented by the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia. Pictured above (left to right) are DBDLI board member and chair Randy Headley, the Honourable Arthur LeBlanc, community advocate and Preston MLA Angela Simmonds, Her Honour Rosemary Patricia (Patsy) LeBlanc, and board member Gilbert Daye.
DBDLI Awards for Excellence in African Nova Scotian History are presented to students whose submissions to the Challenges best exemplify the contributions African Nova Scotians have made to the history, heritage and culture of our province and our country. All awards include cash bursaries.
Winning Entries
Thank you to everyone who participated in DBDLI’s 2022 African Nova Scotian History Challenges! We were blown away by the incredible talent and creativity shown in this year’s entries. Check out the 2021-2022 top award winners and honourable mentions.
Challenge 1: Breaking News!
Top Prize
Ridgecliff Middle School
Julia Morales and Nora Tufts
Brookhouse Elementary
Efua Arthur, Ama Arthur, Grace Gervase, Joanne Gervase
Honourable Mentions
Lockview High
Sophie Hunt
Myah Jackson
Breton Education Centre
Lilly Parris
Bridgetown Regional Community School
Alice Milligan
Enfield District School
Liam Angowski
Maple Grove Education Centre
Mielle Lawrence, Lois Smoth, Mahaylia Philip, and Liela Ben-Mohammad
Challenge 2: African Nova Scotian Communities
Top Prize
Redcliff Middle School
Cormier’s Grade 6 class
Ridgecliff Middle School
Nevaeh Stundon
Annapolis West Education Centre
Hiscock’s Grade 10 class
Honourable Mentions
Lockview High
Xavier Paris
Nanda Feltmate
Bell Park Academic Centre
Ciara Borden
New Glasgow Academy
Robertson 3A, 3B, 5A, and 5B
Champlain Elementary School
Connor Thompson
Ridgecliff Middle School
Brooklyn Nickerson
Xander Croft
Challenge 3: Notable Nova Scotians
Top Prize
Chebucto Heights
Heisler’s Grade 5 class
Fairview Junior High
Nailah Nyaga
Lockview High
Deyonce Gibson-Simmons
Honourable Mentions
Shipyard Elementary School
Murphy’s Grade 2 class
St. Joseph’s Alexander-McKay Elementary
Rian Kim
Saint Mary’s Elementary
Cadence MacLeod
Shipyard Elementary School
Currie’s Grade 5 class
Fairview Junior High
Ethan Peddle
Ridgecliff Middle School
Brooke Johnson
Challenge 4: And the Award Goes To…
Top Prize
Bridgetown Regional Community School
Lily Habinski
South Queens Middle School
Sierra MacLeod
Honourable Mentions
Smokey Drive Elementary
Bellefontaine’s Grade 5 class
Greenfield Elementary School
Chopeck’s Grade 2 class
Bell Park Academic Centre
Cleo Glasgow-Willis, Jace Marchand-Hill, Derico Hill, Xavier Aymar
Ridgecliff Middle School
Jezra Kilat
Challenge 5: A Day in the Life
Top Prize
Champlain Elementary School
Khadi Almaktoomi-Hiscock
Baddeck Academy
Hannah Phillips
Sydney Academy
Khadija Ameer
Honourable Mentions
Chebucto Heights Elementary
Gabriel Tran, Olivier Boudreau, Isabelle Deyoung
Malcolm Munroe Middle School
Dante Emanuel
Ridgecliff Middle School
Livia Currie, Dylan Rodgers, Grace Berrigan
London Ogilvie
Sydney Academy
Mary Sutherland
Olivia Obadan
Challenge 6: Express Yourself!
Top Prize
St. Josephs Alexander McKay Elementary
Berghuis’ Grade 5 class
Middleton Regional High School
Parlee-Elmore’s 7B class
Sydney Academy
Lemuela Ajuwon
Honourable Mentions
Grosvenor Wentworth Park Elementary
Alice Sun
Kingswood Elementary
Cyr’s Grades 5/6 class
Rockingham Elementary
McIver’s Grade 5 class
Fairview Junior High
Mohammad Beydoun
Halifax Central Junior High
Freya Sparkes
Sydney Academy
Michelle Osasere
Top Schools
- Lockview High
- Ridgecliff Middle School
- St. Joseph’s-Alexander McKay Elementary