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12 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday February 3, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com exotic · urban · classic · contemporary UP TO 25% DISCOUNT ON CABINETS Flag project earns Oakville air cadet Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year award Five other youths nominated through The Oakville Beaver By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF DESIGN MANUFACTURE INSTALLATION cabinetry solutions tailored to specific needs · down to earth prices · high-tech manufacturing with old world craftsmanship and attention to detail AYA KITCHENS OF OAKVILLE 1195 North Service Rd. W., Unit #1 & #2 905.847.1522 · Fax: 905.847.1951 e-mail: oakville@AyAkitchens.com www.AyAkitchens.com Discover theDifference OAKVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL · An academic school where Christian morals and values are taught and modelled. · A student body that ranks in the top 10% on Canada's national CAT3 tests. · A science program that produces regional science fair winners every year. · Athletic teams that compete in 9 different sports, starting as early as Grade 2. · Extracurricular opportunities that meet the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of all students. · Christian service involvement in the community. · A music program that trains vocal & instrumental groups who represent the school at different community functions. · Fully networked computer lab - networked computers in every classroom. · A family atmosphere with 275 students. · On-site before & after school care. Sat., Feb. 10 OPEN HOUSE 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. At Oakville Christian School our mission is: "Nurturing Excellence in a Christ-Centred Academic Environment" Oakville Christian School 112 Third Line, Oakville (905) 825-1247 ocsadmissions@ocsonline.org www.ocsonline.org Six Oakville youths were nominated -- and one, Devin Castilloux, 14, was selected -- as an Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year. The youths, nominated through The Oakville Beaver, are among more than 100 youths, recognized annually by the Ontario Community Newspapers' Association (OCNA) and its Junior Citizen of the Year competition, for their outstanding contributions to their communities -- as leaders of tomorrow. Castilloux is among 12 selected from the nominees across the province as winners. "We had 138 nominees. It's a very difficult choice to pair it down to 12 winners," said OCNA Junior Citizen Co-ordinator Nancy Burman. "He's the boy with a flag," said Burman referring to Castilloux and his mission to forever remember Canadian veterans by having them sign a large Canadian flag. "We are very happy for Devin and his work. The stories written about Devin would make any parent proud," said Castilloux's dad, Mike Castilloux who said his family will be attending the awards ceremony in Niagara Falls at the end of March. "His project has caught the attention of many people. He is quiet about most of his interactions with veterans and goes to great lengths to honour them," said Mike Castilloux. "He made a promise to his veterans to remember and never forget. His flag project is his, but he will tell you it will always belong to the veterans," said his dad. Castilloux's flag project began when he was 11. His Boy With a Flag project began with him collecting veterans' signatures on a large Canadian flag to be flown on the Peace Tower at Parliament Hill. However, the gesture was considered defacing the flag so it could not be flown. Castilloux then collected signatures on a large white flag that would have the Canadian flag sewn to its corner, which resulted in more than a 1,000 signatures hanging in the Senate at the launch of Veterans' Week. More than 800 Canadian men and women who fought in conflicts from World War I to Devin Castilloux Fiona Burgess Emily Harris the war in Afghanistan have signed the Thomas A. Blakelock High School student and 540 Gold Hawk Squadron cadet's flag. Castilloux has met Prime Minister Stephen Harper, has been honoured by the government of Canada and connected with many veterans. Castilloux has also embarked on a new project to assemble similar flags for each province and estimated it will take about 10 years to complete. While Castilloux is described as a very likeable, presentable young man, he not only approached Legions across Canada of his own accord, but works as a kitchen assistant at the Bronte Legion. A corporal in his cadet corps, Castilloux earned the Royal Canadian Legion Medal of Excellence in his first year, an honour usually bestowed on fourth-year cadets. "Devin is definitely unique. He is the first person to volunteer to help or hold a door open for someone. It is not unusual to see him pick up a piece of garbage and put it in the garbage. Ask him why and you might hear something about keeping Canada beautiful. Devin has little interest in fame for himself, but instead shows a mature perspective for doing the right thing that makes the world a better place for all of us to live in," wrote his teacher Janet Davis in his nomination. Among the other local youths nominated through The Oakville Beaver -- still others were nominated through Oakville Today -- Fiona Burgess was selected as the winner there. Burgess is said to lead by example. When she realized that people in Africa were in need she took the initiative and created Oakville Teenagers in Action (OTIA), which raised enough money to build a school in a village in Sierra Leone. She also went to Ghana and facilitated a Leadership Workshop for about 20 people, giving the people the skills they need to be able to create change within their own communities. Other nominees include Emily Harris, 17, who was nominated by her teacher Richard Lachance. Harris has been involved with student council at T. A. Blakelock for four years -- president in her last year. Harris was also a member of her school's Wellness Council and stage manager for the Sears Drama Festival in Grade 11, and was a photographer for her school's yearbook committee. In Grade 12, she is a peer mentor for younger students, tutors French students and writes a column for the school newspaper. "Emily tries to have a positive and helpful personality with students as well as teachers. She tries hard and is driven to succeed," wrote Lachance. Among her many awards, Harris has received the Stage Manager Award, Contribution to Life Award, French Award, Leadership Award and Fashion Award. Besides attending leadership conferences, and completing her French Immersion while travelling in France, Harris participates locally on the Taking Steps Against Breast Cancer school team, takes part in the annual Polar Bear dip, is a reg See Oakville page 16