The Ontario Student Voice Awards

OSTA-AECO regrets to inform that due to fiscal constraints, we will be unable to offer our Ontario Student Voice Award scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year.

 
Best,
The OSTA-AECO Leadership Team
Commitment to Justice Award

 The mission of the OSTA-AECO Commitment to Justice Award is to honor the achievements of students who show immense commitment and enthusiasm for justice. OSTA-AECO recognizes the courage put into creating a just environment for all.
These annual awards are the best opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication, and caring nature of the province’s most exceptional students. They also promote excellence in advocating for issues that students feel passionate about across Ontario. This award also allows for the recognition of students who work towards creating equity to combat injustices all around the world.

Criteria:

    • Demonstrates a devotion to justice 
    • Advocates for an issue they feel is particularly in need of equity
    • Is committed and dedicated to creating a just society 
    • Shows courage in speaking up for their beliefs
    • Stands up for social injustices
    • Devotes their time regularly to volunteer efforts  
    • One reference letter highlighting why you are a suitable recipient for this award (Note: reference may not be from a family member)
    • Must be a graduating student

Environmental Stewardship Award

 The mission of the OSTA-AECO Environmental Stewardship Award is to honor the achievements of students who frequently promote the conservation of the natural environment through sustainable practices and their activities. OSTA-AECO recognizes the threat and effects of climate change, and the importance of living sustainably. 

This new award is an opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication, and caring nature of the province’s most exceptional students. They promote excellence in advocating for and living sustainably to better our natural environment for years to come. This award reminds students to continue to be active within their communities and to advocate for long-lasting change to make the world a better place.  

Criteria: 

  • Demonstrates a devotion to environmental sustainability  
  • Is committed and dedicated to preserving the natural environment 
  • Leads peers into bettering the environment
  • Devotes their time regularly to volunteer efforts
  • Speaks up and calls for action surrounding issues such as climate change
  • One reference letter highlighting why you are a suitable recipient for this award (Note: reference may not be from a family member)
  • Must be a graduating student
Dedication to the Arts Award

The mission of the OSTA-AECO Dedication to the Arts Award is to honor the accomplishments and achievements of secondary students who participate in tremendous ways through the arts, whether that be in their school or community. OSTA-AECO recognizes the commitment of students to the arts across Ontario.

These annual awards are an incredible opportunity to acknowledge the dedication, excellence and achievements of our secondary students in the province.

Criteria:

    • Involved in the Arts (visual arts, drama, music, photography, film, dance, etc.)
    • Shows passion and dedication in their Arts area(s) of choice
    • Shows a strong leadership presence within their arts community
    • Has participated in a wide variety of arts related events
    • One reference letter that has overseen your commitment towards the Arts 
    • Must submit a picture, video, or another art medium that show us your dedication to the arts. Your submission will be included in your Forms application.
    • Must be a graduating student

 

Entrepreneurial Initiative Award

The mission of the OSTA-AECO Entrepreneurial Initiative Award is to honor the achievements of students who participate in innovative activities in areas including but not limited to mathematics, business, science and technology. OSTA-AECO recognizes the initiative of students who have visions to make a difference in the present and future world.
These annual awards are the best opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication, and excellence of the province’s most inventive students. Additionally, they inspire youth leadership through their efforts to start up amazing projects across Ontario. This award is given out to support those students who go above and beyond to status quo to bring new ideas to the world.

Criteria:

    • Demonstrates leadership and creative thinking
    • Has established new projects, businesses, inventions, councils or challenged theory.
    • Dedicates their time to serve their community
    • Perseveres through disappointment and is willing to make sacrifices to achieve a goal
    • One reference letter highlighting why you are a suitable recipient for this award (Note: reference may not be from a family member)
    • Must be a graduating student

 

Sports Leadership Award

The mission of the OSTA-AECO Sports Leadership Award is to honor the achievements of amateur and competitive athletes. OSTA-AECO recognizes the excellence of leadership in sport.

These annual awards are the best opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication and victories of the province’s finest athletes. In doing so, they also promote excellence in leadership through sport across Ontario. The awards remind youth how sport lifts the human spirit while acknowledging the true champions of sport. They celebrate the athletes and leaders who compete yet inspire hope.

Criteria:

    • Being a good role model to other students
    • Inspires and engages others in sports
    • Exemplifies qualities of fair play and good sportsmanship
    • Demonstrates expertise, experience and leadership in a variety of sports 
    • Commitment to the overall school and/or community sport programs
    • One reference letter from a coach, teammate or mentor highlighting why you are a suitable recipient for this award (Note: reference may not be from a family member)
    • Must be a graduating student

 

Student Voice Award

The mission of the OSTA-AECO Student Voice Award is to honor the achievements of students who participate in diverse and outstanding ways to represent the student voice throughout their community. OSTA-AECO recognizes the passion put into ensuring student voice is heard.
These annual awards are the best opportunity to pay tribute to the hard work, dedication, and excellence of the province’s most understanding students in Ontario. In addition, the award reminds youth that being active in advocating for students can result in community growth that encourages long-lasting leadership initiatives.

Criteria:

    • Is involved within school and/or community
    • Demonstrates leadership and advocates for student voice
    • Actively encourages inclusivity
    • Develops meaningful relationships and thrives in social interactions
    • Stands up for the opinions, rights and beliefs of students
    • One reference letter highlighting why you are a suitable recipient for this award (Note: reference may not be from a family member)
    • Must be a graduating student