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-- a I a ------ iy RR I fr pe REE Catching up with Scugog's ultra-busy student trustee By Lisa McClure Port Perry Star Some might say that when life hands you lemons, you should 'eat them, grin and bear it. That's far from the response that Port Perry's own student trustee, Chris Skinner, would give. Since becoming a student trustee with the Durham District School Board last fall, Chris Skinner has been involved in debate on a number of challeng- ing and controversial issues. The questions have been var- ied. What should be included in the new dress code? Should the Harry Potter books be banned? And even, how often should stu- dents be entitled to visit the washroom? Not content to watch from the sidelines, Mr. Skinner has been a strong voice at board meetings, striving to represent the student population of Durham. Currently an OAC student at Port Perry High School, Mr. Skinner is working to balance his schedule of school work, apply- ing for universities, attending board meetings, music ensem- ble work, dance lessons and two part-time jobs. "I don't balance it; I just do it," said the 18-year-old of his hectic agenda. "I need a planner to look at my planner." One of his goals has recently been accomplished: Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in Toronto has accepted him to its graphic communications man- agement program. In order to gain admission to the program, Mr. Skinner had to write an essay and attend an interview. To prepare for his studies at Ryerson, Mr. Skinner worked at a printing company in Markham last summer; he hopes to return to work there this summer. He is also employed part-time during the school year at both The Brown Couch and Botanica, shops in Port Perry. Along with his paying jobs, Mr. Skinner voluntarily takes on a wide variety of other responsi- bilities. Some of this extra work includes being the teen event coordinator for Festival Days last year; musical director, costume designer, co-producer and star of a production of "A Chorus Line" last summer; counselor at Camp Tawingo; editor of the high school year book; a member of Port Perry High School's jazz choir Jazzmerize; and travelling from his home in Uxbridge to numerous auditions in Toronto for ads and music videos. Although his choice in post- secondary school education doesn't involve music, drama or politics, Mr. Skinner is sure to succeed, according to his high school music teacher, Charles White. "He'll be successful in what- ever he chooses," said Mr. White. "He's an excellent stu- dent." No matter what his future career may be, Mr. Skinner is convinced that he will "always pursue acting as a side-career." For the time being, Mr. Skinner is focusing on his duties as a student trustee here in Durham. Not content to simply show up for meetings and sit as a token student representative, Mr. Skinner has consistently FEATURES , fr a Re een a JR 4 " >. po 3 3 ei Pre FOOD FOR THOUGHT? .. District School Board classroo OAC student at Port Perry Hi Scugog. voiced his opinion on issues. He was front and centre in the battle against the banning of some books in Durham schools. The move by some trustees to ban-the popular Harry Potter series gained the Durham board headlines around the world. "I don't feel that it's necessary to condemn one type of litera- ture," Mr. Skinner said. "I have a deep concern' for the state of education, and | just want to make my voice heard." To become one of the two stu- dent trustees selected in Durham Region, Mr. Skinner had to write an essay and take part in . Th an interview with a selection committee. His interest in the position began when he was co- president of student council at Port Perry High School last year. He 'Rad attended student senate meetings, which were run by last year's student trustees, and realized that becoming a student trustee was the next step he wanted to take. Mr. Skinner's ability to assume the role, and the responsibilities that came with it, were obvious, said PPHS English teacher Susan Ellis. "He's been on student coun- cil, so he's seen it from the e battle over the use of Harry Potter books in Durham ms has been among the debates in which Chris Skinner, an gh School, has joined as a student trustee representing administration's point of view and a student's point of view," she said. "There aren't too many trustees who've seen the school from so many different capaci- ties." So Chris Skinner continues his battles at board meetings, and fights for what he feels is in the best interest for the students of Durham. He sums up his phi- losophy on life with a twist on an old saw: "When life hands you lemons, market it, open up a chain selling over-priced lemon goods, and relish in the fact that it was your idea." Star seeks nominations for Citizen of the Year Award By Chris Hall Port Perry Star The Port Perry Star is once again look- ing to honour Scugog's most committed residents, and we need your help. Your local community newspaper is seeking nominees for its annual Citizen of the Year Award, which will be present- ed to a deserving recipient during the Canada Day celebrations at Palmer Park in Port Perry. The Star has handed out the presti- gious award for a number of years now. Past winners include Frank Fielding, Anne Wanninkhof and Doreen Kendall. Each year, The Star seeks nomina- tions from the public for the award, which is a means of providing deserved recognition to individuals who have per- formed noteworthy deeds within the community. It's these outstanding achievements, extraordinary displays of compassion, dedicated volunteers, and acts of courage by Scugog's residents that we feel need to be recognized. Honourees exemplify values such as resourceful- ness, courage, ingenuity and selfless- ness which are such an important part of our society. Nominees will be individuals who have been involved in worthwhile com- munity service endeavours, have over- come debilitating physical or physiolog- ical handicaps to match or exceed their fellow peers, or who have performed acts of heroism, perhaps even endanger- ing their own lives. : Nominations are open to anyone who lives or has lived in the township, or the act which they are being nominated for must have taken place within the bound- aries of Scugog Township. Anyone wishing to forward a nomina- tion to The Star must do so by noon on June I'l. Nomination forms can be picked up and dropped off at The Star office, located at 188 Mary St. in Port Perry.