Lennox Island
A sure sign of Spring is making its way across Prince Edward Island as the Easter Seals PEI Ambassador School Tour starts its visits to Island schools beginning Wednesday, April 24th.
A 43-year Island tradition, the Tour visits every school in the provincial Public Schools Branch and French Language School Board in just six days, ending on Wednesday, May 1st.
This year, Lucie Gallant is the 2024 Easter Seals PEI Ambassador. She is ten years old and a Grade Five student at École-sur-Mer in Summerside and is one of a few bilingual ambassadors that has participated in the tour.
Lucie lives in Sherbrooke with her parents Melissa and Chris and her little brother Jackson. Diagnosed on the autism spectrum, Lucie has experienced social and cognitive challenges but is excited to help increase awareness about neurodiversity and the power of optimism with her motto: ‘With a positive mind you can do extraordinary things.’
“We are excited to kick-off this year’s tour on Lennox Island and visit the students who attend John J. Sark Memorial School,” says Helen Chapman, Executor Director of Easter Seals PEI. “It is very special for Lucie to begin her tour here and be greeted in three languages by the students and experience an Indigenous event. Lucie has truly embraced this day and the once-in-a-lifetime ambassador experience.”
Chapman thanked D. P Murphy’s Janice Blacquiere who organizes the Tim Horton’s school tour every year and also thanked Coach Atlantic Maritime Bus who has provided the transportation every year.
Christy Rossiter, the principal of John J. Sark Memorial School says an important aspect of the Mi’kmaq culture is everyone is welcome and no one is left behind.
“Several students have benefited from Easter Seals over the years and we want to learn about the good work they do and teach our students about giving back,” says Rossiter.
Lucie looks forward to her week ahead and encourages all Islanders to consider making a gift to Easter Seals and is excited to meet the thousands of students during the upcoming school tour. Funds raised will be disbursed to various registered charities on PEI through the organization’s annual provincial grant program.