The 2024 Heritage Fair welcomes 97 students and 79 projects to the annual event at NBCC Woodstock
After two decades of involvement with the annual Anglophone West Heritage Fair, Beverly Jacobson remains passionate about the event. More importantly, she’s thrilled to see the students’ commitment to history and heritage remain strong.
“They’re passionate about their projects,” she said.
Jacobson, with the help of Eric Church of the school district, Avis Fitton, and others, plans the annual heritage showcase at NBCC Woodstock for the district’s Grade 5 to 9 students, which stretches from Cambridge Narrows to Edmundston.
She said the 2024 fair held May 8 featured 79 projects submitted by 97 students representing 17 schools.
Jacobson explained that fair organizers allow students to set up their displays in the NBCC Woodstock gym or do their presentations virtually. She said two students took the virtual option.
“We’re the largest heritage fair in New Brunswick,” she said.
While judges evaluate each project and announce awards in a virtual ceremony on June 15, every student carries the memory of researching and sharing information about a chosen subject, which encompasses Canadian heritage events, places or people.
Judges named three projects from the three education centres in Woodstock, Fredericton and Oromocto as Provincial Showcase Winners.
Colton, a Grade 5 student from Andover Elementary School, earned the provincial honour for the Woodstock Education Centre for his project on artist Winston Bronnum.
Anna, a Grade 9 student from Fredericton High School in the Fredericton centre, captured the judges’ attention with her project, Letters from the Sea.
The Oromocto Centre’s provincial honour went to Lila, a Grade 5 student at Hubbard Elementary School, who researched and presented a project on Tomlinson Lake and its famed Hike for Freedom.
On May 8, student projects filled the NBCC gym, accompanied by several heritage groups and organizations. They included King’s Landing, Meduxnekeag River Association, Woodstock’s School Days Museum, Agriculture and AgriFood Canada, artist Eileen Yeker, ANAVETs, Carleton County Military Museum operator Aaron Bouma, Scottish Heritage information and the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries.
A continuous slideshow offered images from each of the communities represented by the students. Wolastoq First Nation Eder Carole Polchies delivered the opening prayer.
The smiling students, many dressed in costumes representing their project, happily explained details garnered from the detailed research of their chosen heritage subject.
Oromocto Middle School students Peyton and Jasper teamed up to delve into the origins and sightings of the Wendigo, a mythical creature or evil spirit from Algonquian folklore.
“It was fun researching,” said Jasper, who explained the creature is most commonly seen in colder regions.
While Wendigo has Canadian roots, Peyton noted its most recent sighting was in Russia in 2018.
Peyton and Jasper’s effort earned them an honourable mention for the Brenda Jardine Memorial Award.
The Heritage Fair also allowed some students to combine Canadian and family heritage. A pair of Bliss Carman Middle School students took that route in separate projects.
Anna delved into her Acadian roots, while Sloane used the opportunity to research the Sidney steel plant, where several generations of her family made their living.
Nackawic Elementary Grade 5 students Charlotte and Winrey use their heritage project to delve into a young New Brunswick hero, the late Becca Schofield. The Riverview teen, as she dealt with terminal brain cancer, launched a worldwide kindness campaign under the hashtag #beccatoldmeto.
Charlotte and Winfrey said they first planned to research the Terry Fox story, but with that idea taken, they turned their sights on another inspirational Canadian hero.
A Grade 5 student from Hubbard Elementary School of Oromocto, Abel earned the Canadian Sports Award for his project on a dark moment in Canada’s favourite sport and the NHL’s most historic franchise.
Abel detailed the 1955 Richard Riot, which began at the Montreal Forum and spread into the city following the season-ending suspension of the Habs’ famous Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard.
The following is a list of award-winning projects.
N.B. Indigenous Affairs Award: Maggie, a Grade 7 student at Tobique Valley High School, for their project Indigenous Art.
Honourable Mention: Pacee, Grade 9 at Stanley, for their project, The Impact of Residential Schools.
Brigadier Milton F, Gregg VC Award: David, Grade 6 student at John Caldwell School Hidden Enemies – The Battle of the Atlantic.
Council of Archives NB Award: Maddy, a Grade 9 student at Fredericton High School, for their project, Letters from the Second World War.
The ELLE Award: Miia, a Grade 8 student at Nashwaaksis Middle School, for their project on Dr. Mary McCarthy-Brandt.
The New Brunswick Historic Places Award: Liam, a Grade 7 student at Bliss Carman Middle School, for their project Leprosy et L’Ile de Sheldrake.
N.B. Labour History Award: Teagan, a Grade 8 at Nashwaaksis Middle School, for their project Ganong Chocolate Factory.
The New Brunswick Museum Award of Excellence: Isaac, a Grade 9 student at FHS, for their project Percy Sacobie.
Honourable Mention: Peyton and Brennan, Grade 7 students at Centreville School, for their project Fishing and Hunting in N.B.
The NB Sports Legacy Award: Olivia, a Grade 9 student at FHS, for their project, La Ringuet
NB St. Croix Award: Emily, a Grade 7 student at JCS, for their project, Evangeline.
N.B. Provincial Commemoration Award: Kaiya, a Grade 7 student at Bliss Carman Middle School, for their project, Vimy Ridge.
Local Awards
The Brenda Jardine Memorial Award: Devangana, a Grade 9 student at FHS, for their project, E. Cora Hind.
Honourable Mention: Jasper and Peyton, Grade 8 students at Nashwaaksis Middle School, for their project Wendigo.
Canadian Achievement Award: Katie, a Grade 5 student at Geary Elementary, for their project, C.N. Tower.
Honourable Mention: Parker, a Grade 8 student at Townsview, for their project Bombardier.
The Canadian Sports Award: Abel, a Grade 5 student at Hubbard Elementary School, for their project, Richard Riot.
Irish Canadian Cultural Association of N.B.: Bonnie, a Grade 5 student at Hubbard Elementary, for their project, My Acadian Family.
My Community’s Heritage Award: Kaylee, a Grade 8 student at Nashwaaksis Middle School, for their project, History of Marysville.
Honourable Mention My Community Heritage Award: Kevin, a Grade 6 student at Tobique Valley High School, for their project, SPCA.
2nd Honourable Mention My Community Heritage Award: Jayden, a Grade 5 student at Donald Fraser Memorial School, for their project, Tobique Log Drive.
The Natural Wonders of Canada Award: Deacon, a Grade 5 student at Hubbard Elementary, for their project, The Beaver.
Honourable Mention: Sadie and Olivia, Grade 6 students at Tobique Valley High School, for their project, The Flood of 2012.
Rinehart Orthodontist for Health Sciences: Alexa, a Grade 8 student at JCS, for their project, Charles Best.
Honourable Mention: Kennadi, a Grade 5 student at DFMS, for their project, Wilder Penfield.
Sunrise Fredericton Rotary Club Fine Arts Award: Julianna, a Grade 5 student at Townsview School, for their project, Molly Lamb.
N.B. Scottish Cultural Association Award: Addison, a Grade 5 student at Hubbard Elementary, for their project, My Idol – Jody Hughes.
Honourable Mention: Cameron, a Grade 5 student at Geary Elem. for their project, Alexander Graham Bell
Judges Award Winners:
Claire, a Grade 7 student at Nashwaaksis Middle School, for their project, The Impact of the Halifax Explosion.
Harrison, a Grade 5 student at Garden Creek, for their project, Pier 21.
Anna, a Grade 7 student at BCMS, for their project, C.N. Railway.
Destany, a Grade 7 student at BCMS, for their project, Pow Wows.
Aliya, a Grade 5 student at Barker’s Point, for their project, Beavers.
Caleb, a Grade 5 student at Park Street, for their project, Canadian Wrestler.
Josephine, a Grade 5 student at Park Street, for their project, Insulin.
Provincial Showcase Winners
Three Provincial Showcase Winners were awarded in ASD-W for each of the three Education Centers: Woodstock, Fredericton, and Oromocto.
The Woodstock Education Centre: Colton, a Grade 5 student at Andover Elementary School, for their project, Winston Bronnum.
Fredericton Education Centre: Anna, a Grade 9 student at FHS, for their project, Letters from the Sea.
Oromocto Education Centre: Lila, a Grade 5 student at Hubbard Elementary School, for their project, Tomlinson Lake.
