The Black Student Excellence Award for the 2026–2027 school year has been presented to Mia L., a Grade 12 student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering, the Durham Catholic District School Board announced on November 11.
The board celebrated nominees at its third annual Black Student Excellence Awards on November 5. The recognition honours student leadership and contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion across Durham Catholic schools.
Mia received a certificate, a recognition letter, a glass trophy and a $500 bursary. The board identifies the recipient by first name and last initial; that form is preserved here.
Student voice and mental-health advocacy
The board highlighted Mia’s work as a student trustee and Student Senate co-chair, where she helped advance student voice, belonging and student success.
Her involvement with Black Leaders of St. Mary has included cultural celebration, student engagement and awareness of Black mental health. She also founded The Clementine Project, a youth-led initiative that connects Black youth with mental-health resources and supports.
The announcement describes additional service as a peer tutor, school ambassador, newcomer peer leader and student council representative. Together, those roles formed part of the record considered in recognizing her leadership.
Nominees from across Durham Catholic schools
The awards are a collaboration between DCDSB and its Anti-Black Racism and Black Excellence Advisory Committee. They recognize students in Grades 11 and 12 who self-identify as Black and/or of African descent.
This year’s nominees represented All Saints, Archbishop Denis O’Connor, Father Donald MacLellan, Father Leo J. Austin, Monsignor John Pereyma, Monsignor Paul Dwyer, Notre Dame and St. Mary Catholic secondary schools.
Committee chair Leland Harper praised both the recipient and the wider group of nominees in the board’s release. The board also acknowledged community organizations, partners and donors supporting the awards.
The new announcement reports the recipient and outcome of the November 5 celebration. Earlier notices advertised the event; this release confirms who received the Black Student Excellence Award and describes the contributions behind that decision.
Further information about the nominees and the programme is available through the school board’s announcement and its linked awards resources.
