March 22, 2011                                                                                     

Port Colborne Student Lauded as Youth Citizen of the Year  

Port Colborne High School’s (PCHS) Zoe Walters is known around her school as an enthusiastic, determined leader.

However, she’s also known as a modest, unassuming young woman who never asks for any special recognition for all of her efforts to make her school and surrounding community better places to live and learn. So, Zoe was understandably slightly out of her comfort zone when she was recognized by the Port Colborne and Wainfleet Chamber of Commerce as its Youth Citizen of the Year.

“It was really overwhelming,” said Walters. “I’m very thankful for the award, which is a huge honour.”

Although Zoe is not one to brag about her accomplishments, her resume does show an impressive body of work, both at school and in the community. Zoe has been on the school’s Honour Roll since Grade 9, maintaining an average of over 90%. She is also PCHS’ Student Council Prime Minister, helping to organize many fundraising events to support the local and global community. Zoe has helped raise funds for the Stair Climb for Cancer, Haiti earthquake relief and the McMaster Heart and Stroke Foundation.

In the community Zoe is a lifeguard and a swim instructor, but it is in her role as a Youth Health Promoter for a local health centre that she has the biggest impact, helping to raise awareness on critical health issues such as substance abuse or mental and sexual health.

In a letter to the Chamber of Commerce supporting her nomination, PCHS Principal Nigel Evans wrote that Zoe is a “confident young person who leads by example.  She excels in whatever she commits herself to and exhibits important qualities such as care and respect.”

“Zoe dedicates herself to the betterment of others, and is thoroughly deserving of this prestigious recognition. The entire school is very proud of her,” added Evans.