A young student from Innisfree Delnorte School has been recognized for her artistic contribution to the National Youth Remembrance Contest 2024/2025, an annual competition that encourages Canadian youth to honour veterans through visual art, writing, and video. Organized by the Legion National Foundation in partnership with The Royal Canadian Legion, the contest fosters the tradition of remembrance across the country.
With a submission deadline of December 31, 2024, students had the opportunity to enter through local Legion branches or via the online platform RemembranceContests.ca for video entries. The competition spans four categories: Primary (Kindergarten to Grade 3, poster contest only), Junior (Grades 4–6), Intermediate (Grades 7–9), and Senior (Grades 10–12).
Entries were initially judged at the local Legion branch level, then advanced to the District and Alberta/NWT Command levels before reaching the Legion National Foundation in Ottawa, where a panel of professionals selected the national winners. Top winners receive cash prizes, while first-place senior winners earn an all-expenses-paid trip to Ottawa to participate in the National Remembrance Day Ceremony, where they lay a wreath on behalf of Canadian youth and meet the Governor General.
On January 20, Comrade Kevin Roland of the Vermilion Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 visited Innisfree Delnorte School to present a cheque to Grade 2 student Olivia Nott in recognition of her success at the Branch level of the competition. Nott participated in the poster category, showcasing her creative talent.
“I drew a hillside with a cross and a dove. I am thankful for all who fought in the war for us,” commented Olivia.
Olivia’s parents noted that Olivia enjoys drawing and that she is very happy that her drawing moved on to districts and, “we are proud parents.”
Vermilion Legion Branch 11 received 81 entries in total, all of which were assessed by a panel of local Legion members and former educators. According to Peter Clark, a Legion representative, the judging process was exceptionally difficult due to the high calibre of submissions.
“The judges faced a challenging task due to the exceptional quality of the submissions,” said Clark. “It’s clear these young people put immense thought into their work. They deserve congratulations for their remarkable efforts. Unfortunately, none of these submissions advanced past the District round.”
Despite this, Nott’s recognition at the Branch level highlights the dedication and artistic expression of young Canadians who continue to honour the sacrifices of veterans through creative storytelling. The National Youth Remembrance Contest remains a significant platform for fostering a deeper appreciation of Canada’s history among its youth.
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