Wendy Adams, a well-loved teacher at Edgehill Elementary School, has won a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Nicholas Simons, MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast, presented Adams with the award at Edgehill’s morning assembly on Wednesday, December 5.
The commemorative medal, created in 2011, marks the 60th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Queen Elizabeth II.
Sixty thousand jubilee medals are being distributed by the Governor General’s office to selected Canadians who have made a noteworthy contribution to their community, town, region, province or country.
“I’m surprised and shocked,” said Adams. “Nothing I do is by myself. It takes a whole community of people to help. The only thing I do is ask for help and everybody steps up and comes out. So, this isn’t for me. It’s for all of us.”
Simons addressed the gym full of students and explained that he was giving the award on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II because “she was too busy.” He said the award was for people who are “a good example for everybody,” because “they’re really committed to their community and help out.”
Bill Hopkins, a teachers’ assistant at Edgehill, thought Adams fit that criteria. He nominated Adams for the award after witnessing how Adams had organized a compassion project for her friend Shannon Goss. Goss is a mother with two children who has been diagnosed with mitochondrial myopathy, a rare, debilitating disease that attacks the body’s cells. Goss is unable to walk and is in constant pain. Adams organized the compassion project which asked for help from local businesses and individuals to renovate Goss’s home to better accommodate Goss’s use of an electric wheelchair and support her family.
“I thought she’s a perfect person for the award,” said Hopkins. “Knowing everything that Wendy’s done for Shannon and things around the school in general, she deserves it.”
Simons is presenting a total of four awards to residents of the Powell River-Sunshine Coast constituency. Former City of Powell River mayor Stewart Alsgard, a retired navy captain and coroner, will be recognized for his progressive initiatives to build connections between communities during a ceremony planned for January 25. Muriel Cameron, a long-time resident of the Pender Harbour area, was recognized for her dedication and extraordinary amount of volunteer time and energy to strengthen her community. Sechelt Nation Elder Theresa Sxixaxay Jeffries was recognized with the award for her role as a well-known ambassador of good will throughout Coast Salish territories and beyond.
