Several Delta students are celebrating success in the Royal Canadian Legion's 2025 National Youth Remembrance Contest.
This year, students from eight Delta schools submitted an impressive 133 entries a significant increase from last year's 88 entries. Every participating school had at least one student receive an award.
"This year has been exceptional as far as the Youth Remembrance Contest is concerned," said Barbara Dyck, Youth Chair, Legion Branch 61 (Delta). "To see so many students participate is truly wonderful. It's incredibly important that today's youth understand the sacrifices of those who came before them and the freedoms we enjoy today as a result. We are so thankful to the school district for partnering with us on this initiative and helping spread the word about the contest."
Delta Branch 61 received the highest number of entries among the six branches in its zone. Six Delta students were named zone winners. The Peace Arch Zone includes Delta, Richmond, Tsawwassen, Crescent Beach, White Rock, and Cloverdale.
Two local students have earned provincial recognition for their efforts. Matthew Friesen (Grade 12, Delta Secondary) was awarded first place in BC for his Senior level essay, and Kylie Madsen (Grade 6, Neilson Grove Elementary) received an honourable mention in BC for her Junior-level poem. This marks Kylie's second consecutive year being recognized her poem earned Zone winner status last year and went on to place third in BC. Matthew's essay is currently being evaluated at the National level.
"We are anxiously awaiting the results," said Barb. "It's the first time our Zone has had a student advance to Nationals."
The Royal Canadian Legion's Youth Remembrance Contest invites students to submit posters, poems, and essays that honour the legacy of Canada's veterans. Entries progress through Branch, Zone, and Provincial levels, with top submissions moving on to National adjudication.
At last night's Public Board Meeting, Matthew and Kylie were formally recognized and presented with certificates and awards by members of Legion Branch 61 (Delta), Sharon Davis, Branch Past President, Barbara Dyck, Youth Chair, and Jann Kwasnicki, Committee Member and former Principal at Neilson Grove Elementary.
Family members and school staff who supported the students' involvement in the contest, including Principal Mareva Hope from Neilson Grove, and teachers Colleen Blatz and Jess McMillan from Delta Secondary, joined in celebrating the students' achievements. Unfortunately Delta Secondary teacher Todd Allan was unable to attend the presentation last night. Thank you to all students who took part in this year's competition and congratulations to Matthew and Kylie. The annual contest plays an important role in fostering the tradition of Remembrance among Canadians.
