Recent History – 2000
Nov. 15, 2000
DAWSON CREEK –A love of math and a bit of good time management is paying off for James Brown.
South Peace Secondary School (SPSS) principal Sandy McDowell presented Brown with the Governor General’s Academic Medal after he earned the highest marks amongst the school’s students in the provincial exams last school year.
Brown is now an engineering student at the University of Alberta (U of A), where he continues to enjoy what he’s doing and get good marks.
During his time at SPSS, Brown developed good work habits, hitting the books on average for two to three hours after school each night.
Which brings up the question, can you get good marks, and have a life?
“It’s possible,” he said. “It’s just time management and knowing what you have to do.”
From his perspective, McDowell said Brown’s academic success comes largely from within himself. “Commitment and his belief in academically doing the best you can,” McDowell said.
Brown said it also comes down to simply liking what he’s doing. “I love math.”
Brown is taking six courses this year, adding up to 24 hours of class and lab time each week. And for each hour of that time, he devotes up to three hours per week to preparation and study.
The medal was created in 1873 by the Earl of Dufferin, who served as Governor General from 1872 to 1878, to recognize scholastic achievements.
Today, the medals are awarded at four levels: bronze at the secondary school level, collegiate bronze at the post-secondary school diploma level, silver at the undergraduate level, and gold at the graduate level.
The medal goes to the student who graduates with the highest standing at his or her institution.
The obverse side of the medal depicts the likeness of current Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband John Ralston Saul.
The reverse honours life integrating air, fire, water, earth and plants and echoing the knowledge and wisdom passed on by elders to the new generations.
It was designed by Ottawa artist Karen Bailey.
Brown also received a $1,000 scholarship, as did five other SPSS students: Jeffrey Anderson, Nicholas Dyke, Liz Hastie, Julie Reeme, Steven Sarginson.