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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 30, 2007 - 9 Students put personal face on affordable housing By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER all phases of their lives." To view a list of the contest honourable mentions and runner-up visit www.halton.ca and click on `Housing Strategy for Halton.' A Milton student took home the grand prize at Halton Region's first Be a Hero. Be a Voice for Affordable Housing contest awards night Wednesday. The contest saw 19 students in Grades 10 to 12, from across the region, create everything from videos and newspaper editorials to posters, designed to raise awareness of the need for more affordable housing in Halton. Bishop Reding High School Grade 10 student Jesse Mortensen emerged victorious and received a $500 top prize at the ceremony held at the Holiday Inn in Oakville. The local student created a video featuring a fictitious character, Amar, and showed him growing up in Milton, graduating, getting married, having a child, facing rising housing prices and ultimately leaving Milton due to the lack of affordable housing. "I entered this contest to try to open the eyes of the public and raise awareness that affordable housing is a big issue in Halton and that everybody does deserve an affordable home," said Mortensen. He added he's glad to have won the grand prize, not only for the award, but also because he knows he's making a difference in society by changing people's attitudes of Not in My Back Yard (NIMBY). The awards evening Strong Canadian Dollar Brings Down Costs at LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER BE A HERO: Rick Campanelli, former MuchMusic VJ and reporter for Entertainment Tonight Canada speaks to the students attending the Be a Hero, Be a Voice for Affordable Housing awards presentation. included keynote speaker Rick Campanelli, a reporter for Entertainment Tonight Canada and a former MuchMusic VJ. He commended the students who submitted entries for the contest and reminded them it's not about winning an award, but rather about making a difference. "The students who are here tonight are all heroes," he said. "You're all voices for affordable housing." He went on to give an inspirational talk to the students about persevering to accomplish their dreams, pointing out that he entered a contest as well when he was younger that landed him his first job at MuchMusic and started his television career. "I think it's important to encourage youths to follow their dreams and to be a voice for important community issues," he said. Regional Chair Gary Carr also congratulated all of the students who participated in the contest. "With the help of creative and involved students raising awareness about affordable housing, we can keep building healthy communities that allow individuals and their families to stay in Halton through 50 Styles of Barstools www. .com $1189 Solid Wood Table & Six Chairs Choice of Chair Style and Choice of finish The quietest Central Air Conditioner you can buy Air Conditioners, Furnances and Indoor Air Quality Brand Name High Efficiency Furnace & Central Air now from was from Tanya's Place laser hair removal (lightsheer diode) $ $ 6900 3900 INSTALLED After government & manufacturers rebates Parts 10 Year our & Lab * Warranty 24 Hour Emergency Service Made In Canada $1698 Large Selection of Sectionals waxing (eyebrow specialist) $ full service esthetics microdermabrasion Tanya Shewchuk-Foyle System Includes: · Two Stage Variable high efficiency gas furnace · 14 SEER high efficiency central air conditioner · FREE programmable thermostat 3995 per m onth o .a.c. as low as $388 *Free central air Leather Storage Ottoman FREE LASER CONSULTATIONS 905-691-5195 NO PAYMENT OR INTEREST FOR 6 MONTHS 1029 Speers Rd., Oakville 905.842.3739 Speers Rd. & 4th Line (Main Location) O.A.C. $ when you refer a friend for laser treatment FREE 50 off Eyebrow Wax new customers only 8 Locations To Serve You Better! 905-849-4998 www.aireone.com 1-888-827-2665 *Call now for details. Offer cannot be combined Sheddon Medical Building 331 Sheddon St. WWW.JOSHUACREEKFURNITURE.COM