Embedded Reporters 2009:
Camille Martinez and Félix Chiasson
Kick-off of Fourth Buzz’Arts on the Acadian Peninsula - Yo l’Acadie
The fourth annual Buzz’Arts was launched on the Acadian Peninsula with the theme of “Yo l’Acadie.” Buzz’Arts is a major cultural event for Acadian Peninsula schools and artists. This regional fair brings together heritage and ArtsSmarts projects. Once again, painters, poets, and musicians of all ages gathered at the sports complex of the Université de Moncton, Shippagan campus. The fair is a great place to learn about Acadian history and our region’s heritage. We visited this colourful scene to interview some artists and learn more about their works and talents.
At the official opening, speeches were given by some dignitaries. Odette Robichaud, Chair of the District 9 Acadian Peninsula Education Council, Claude Giroux, Superintendant of School District 9 (Acadian Peninsula), Sophie Lacroix, representing the New Brunswick Department of Education, and Jean-Guy Rioux, Chair of the 2009 World Acadian Congress organizing committee, commended the students, teachers, artists, organizing committee, and volunteers for their excellent work. Finally, students from École l’Étincelle in Sainte-Marie-Saint-Raphaël sang the World Acadian Congress theme song.
Martello Tower
Some Grade 11 students from Polyvalente W.-A.- Losier enlightened us about the Martello Tower. Built in 1813 in Saint John, the tower protected the people of New Brunswick. The model built to pay tribute to it shows us that the presenters are not only good historians, but excellent artists as well.
Voyage to the Heart of the Sea
Students from Escale des Jeunes school wanted to make tiles representing marine animals. First they collected ideas and then, using charcoal, drew on the tiles the marine animals they had chosen as a group. After that, they collaborated with artist Rachel Cyr to paint their works. In addition, the Grades 7 and 8 students composed poems. All these works together formed a majestic setting representing the Acadian coast.
History of Burnt Church
Two young girls presented the history of Burnt Church, which was inhabited by Amerindians long ago. The girls showed us some sacred objects, a purse made from a turtle, and a drum, which caught our attention. One of the presenters sang a song in the native language, accompanying herself on the drum.
100 years of the Montreal Canadiens
A student from École Soeur-Saint-Alexandre demonstrated his passion for hockey, and specifically, for the Montreal Canadiens. He explained that his favourite team’s first coach was Al MacNeil and that the first captain was Jean-Baptiste “Jack” Laviolette.
The Silver Dart: 100 Years of Aviation
Two young students from École René-Chouinard taught us about the Silver Dart, the first airplane in Canada. It was built and flown by J. A. D. McCurdy. The inventor of this marvel was none other than Alexander Graham Bell. This invention enabled the industrialization of the plane and also made it possible to travel to Canada’s Far North. It was a revolutionary invention. The model made to pay tribute to the plane demonstrates that these young students are also very skilful with their hands.
Embedded Student Reporters at Buzz’Arts
The Department of Wellness, Culture and Sport set up an Embedded Student Reporter program. Rather than provide conventional reporting on the regional festivals, this program aims to present them from the students’ viewpoint. The young reporters take photos and videos, conduct interviews, and will write articles in the form of a newspaper. This year, the young reporters are Camille Martinez and Félix Chiasson, of École Le Tremplin. The teacher responsible for this activity is Gary Lee Kenny, ICT mentor for School District 9 (Acadian Peninsula).
And the winners are:
During Heritage Week, the students were asked to do different projects on Acadian, New Brunswick, or Canadian heritage. The projects were exhibited during the regional Buzz'Arts fair. Here are the winners of the different categories:
- The Honourable Laurier L. LaPierre, O.C. Medal: 1871 - Uniform Currency Act Vanessa St-Pierre and Marie-Ève Thériault, École Terre-des-Jeunes;
- The New Brunswick Historic Places Award: Neguac Inn, Jonathan Vautour, Centre scolaire et communautaire La Fontaine;
- The New Brunswick St. Croix 2004 Award: The Aboriginal People of Burnt Church, Kathy Poirier and Hope Mitchell, École René-Chouinard;
- The N.B. Museum Award of Merit: The Development of the Camera, Shyann Caissie, Camille Noël, and Mylène Savoie, École La Passerelle;
- Nancy's Award: Évangeline, Abygail Dedam, École René-Chouinard;
- The HBC Explorers Award: History on Video, Guillaume Godin, École Léandre-Legresley;
- The RBC Foundation Award for the Celebration of Aboriginal Heritage: The Mi’kmaq of New Brunswick, Noémie Savoie, École Soeur-Saint-Alexandre;
- Council of Archives New Brunswick Award: 100 Years of the Montreal Canadiens, Xavier Godin, École Soeur-Saint-Alexandre;
- The CN Veterans Award: The Silver Dart (100 Years of Aviation), Ghislain Robichaud and Mathieu Richard, École René-Chouinard;
- The 2tongues Award!: Development of Houses, Camille Thériault and Véronique McGraw, École Marguerite-Bourgeoys;
- Public Choice Award: The Sea World of L’Envolée, Alister Vautour, Jason Robichaud, and Hélène Rioux, École L’Envolée.
Projects selected to participate in the Provincial Showcase:
Two projects were selected for the Provincial Showcase. They are:
The Silver Dart: 100 Years of Aviation by Ghislain Robichaud and Mathieu Richard;
Neguac Inn by Jonathan Vautour.
These students will have the chance to participate in the Historica Fair in Ottawa in July. Bravo to all the participants!