Congratulations to Maya Guida, recipient of the third annual Ruth & Harry Goldhar Journalism Award, presented at the Leaside High School commencement ceremonies in June. Sponsored by Leaside Life, this year’s $1,000 scholarship fittingly goes to a writer with the school paper, who has entered short story contests, and plans on a career in journalism and/or law after pursuing an undergraduate degree in arts at Dalhousie, where she has received an entrance scholarship. Maya will also be getting an Honours Certificate of Extended French and a Certificate of Completion of three Spanish courses (the most Leaside High offers).
As LHS Music/English teacher Lauren Simmons wrote in support of Maya Guida: “I taught Maya in Grade 12 Writer’s Craft class at Leaside High School. Throughout her time in this class and throughout her high school career, she has shown herself to be a creative, conscientious, critical-thinking, and exceptionally driven student.
“Maya has consistently achieved high marks in her studies. In Grade 12 Writer’s Craft, she analyzed texts with considerable skill and wrote at a very high level. Her short fiction showed great command of the narrative craft, her poetry showed creativity in a variety of forms, and her non-fiction writing balanced personal reflection and bigger-picture perspectives artfully. She was an active participant in class discussions and gave rich feedback to her peers. In all areas, Maya achieves high marks due to her consistent effort and constant desire to improve, an approach that will certainly serve her well in her post-secondary education.”
