The principal of Elphinstone Secondary School is one of 36 British Columbians who will be honoured with a B.C. Community Achievement Award on Tuesday.
Deborah Palmer was nominated for her efforts to strengthen ties between youth and the community of Gibsons.
The awards are given out yearly and serve to recognize "citizens from all over the province whose contributions, leadership and inspiration have helped to make British Columbia the greatest province in Canada," said Premier Gordon Campbell.
"Over the years I have spent a lot of time teaching students leadership skills and empowering them to make the right decisions I tell them they are always ambassadors of our school seven days a week, 24 hours a day," Palmer said. "They're representing our school all the time, whether it's on a Friday night or in class. Just like they are always seen as students of Elphinstone, I'm always seen as the principal, and it's my job to make sure I'm representing Elphinstone in the best way I can."
Elphinstone counsellor Leslie Berends nominated Palmer for the award and she said as soon as she read the criteria, she knew Palmer was a perfect fit.
"I've been here a long time and I've seen the difference she's made here," said Berends. "She spends so much time getting the school and community to work together."
Palmer has put together a group of students that meets regularly to talk about what they want to see in their school, what speakers they would like to have visit, what issues they feel need to be dealt with and how they can help change things in their school and their community for the better.
"I really think the old saying is true that it takes a whole community to raise a child, and I want to try to change the view some people in our community have of teenagers," said Palmer.
She notes the local community has been very supportive of her and the students' efforts and says local businesses have never turned them down when they are looking for support.
She is very excited to have been nominated for the award and is looking forward to accepting it at the 2004 British Columbia Community Achievement Awards ceremony in Victoria, May 4 at Government House.
