Honours and awards
The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB) believes in celebrating the achievements of its students and staff. A wide range of academic and extra-curricular honours and awards are available throughout the school year.
In recognition of academic achievement, the names of all students who have achieved an overall average of 80% or better will be posted on the Honour Roll. Schools also host award ceremonies each year to celebrate academic, cultural and athletic achievements of students over the year. Details on national, provincial and local scholarships and bursaries are available in each school’s Student Services office.
Visit your school’s Student Services office today to become aware of the opportunities available to you. Additionally, the OCSB sponsors several awards which are given to high school students upon graduation each year. These Board-sponsored awards are listed below. For complete details on these and MANY other external scholarships, bursaries and awards, please visit your school’s Student Services office.
The Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award
The Distinguished Catholic Alumni Award acknowledges an alumnus who has achieved a high level of distinction and recognition in his or her chosen field, while exhibiting positive Catholic values reflecting the characteristics described by the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations. The OCSB presents the award annually during a Christian Community Day celebration each October. A $5,000 donation will be made, on behalf of the recipient, to the Catholic school of his/her choice, and a plaque of recognition will be maintained at the OCSB.
Previous Winners
- 2023: Dr. Vincent Lam
- 2022: Father Gilles Mongeau S.J.
- 2021: Kim Corace
- 2020: Jimmy Sebulime
- 2019: Michel Chikwanine
- 2018: Erica Wiebe
- 2017: George Brown
- 2016: Bishop Christian Riesbeck
- 2015: Dr. David LeBrun
- 2014: Justice Dennis Power
- 2013: Professor Mark McGowan
- 2012: Honourable Andrew J. Scheer
- 2011: Shauna Mullally
- 2010: Marina Molinari Coderre (posthumously)
Director of Education Award for Academic Perseverance
A bursary of $1,500 and a certificate to one student from each Catholic High School. Awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated perseverance throughout their secondary education, in order to achieve academic success. School-based Honours and Awards Committee will determine the appropriate candidate. To be selected, a student must:
- have persevered in the completion of all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma, including the community service component
- have demonstrated courage and determination while facing and overcoming adversity
The Director of Education Graduate Student Award
A bursary of $1,500 and an individual certificate is awarded to this recipient. To be selected, a student must:
- have achieved a high academic average in grades 11 and 12
- completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma
- have consistently demonstrated positive social attitudes throughout his/her years of high school
- have consistently exemplified the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations
- be a self-directed, responsible, life-long learner who develops and demonstrates his/her God-given potential
- be a caring individual who attends to family, school, parish and to the wider community
- be accepted at a university or college
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Award
A bursary of $1000 is awarded to this recipient. This annual award is provided to recognize an outstanding Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) student. Candidates are graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their OYAP apprenticeship program. Applicants must have completed all of the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma. Particular focus, but without limiting such focus, will be given to students who:
- have demonstrated special dedication to pursuing a career in the skilled trades
- have attained outstanding achievement in the view of their employers and cooperative education teachers
- have demonstrated a well-rounded achievement in their education and community involvement
- have attained outstanding achievement in the context of economic, cultural or social barriers
The Ottawa Catholic Graduate Student Award
A bursary of $1,000 accompanied by an individual certificate is provided per high school for this award. This award honours a Catholic graduate from each high school who demonstrates the distinctive expectations as delineated in the Ontario Catholic Graduate Expectations document. He/she is expected to be: a discerning believer; a collaborative contributor; a caring family member; a responsible citizen; an effective communicator; a reflective, creative and holistic thinker; a self-directed, responsible, life-long learner. A student is eligible to apply for the Ottawa Catholic Student Award if he/she:
- has participated in school, community and parish initiatives throughout his/her high school career that have enhanced the character of the Catholic Graduate
- has attained a minimum 75% average
- has completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma
Pathways for Success Destination Employability Award
A bursary of $500 is provided per high school. This annual award is provided per high school to recognize an outstanding student within the Destination Employability program. Candidates are graduating students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their Destination Employability program. Applicants must have completed all of the requirements mandatory for obtaining an OSS diploma, or OSS Certificate, and demonstrated a special talent for their chosen pathway. Particular focus, but without limiting such focus, will be given to students who:
- have demonstrated special dedication to pursuing a career directly after high school
- have attained outstanding achievement in the view of their employers and cooperative education teachers
- have demonstrated a well-rounded achievement in their education and community involvement
Ottawa Catholic Trustee Student Service Award
A bursary of $1,500 accompanied by an individual certificate is provided per high school for this award. One graduate in each high school will be selected. To be selected a student must (have):
- demonstrated extensive involvement in school activities for a minimum of three years
- demonstrated community involvement and/or fundraising involvement
- taken initiative and demonstrated leadership
- completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma
- not be serving as an Ottawa Catholic School Board Student Trustee
Walking Towards Reconciliation
A bursary of $1000 accompanied by an individual certificate is provided per high school for this award. To be selected a student must (have):
- Demonstrated empathy and understanding of the context, culture, perspectives, or history regarding Canada’s Indigenous peoples.
- Involved with an initiative, project or event that has tried to encourage reconciliation.
- Demonstrated through their daily actions and behaviours an appreciation of the value of Indigenous cultures to Canadian society.
Be Community (school and board level)
A bursary of $100 accompanied by an individual certificate is provided per high school for this award. In addition, one candidate will receive an additional bursary of $1000 plus another $1000 donated to the recipients charity of choice. To be selected a student must (have):
- Completed all the requirements for obtaining an OSS diploma, including the community service component.
- Included the total number of volunteer community service hours accumulated.
- Experienced a variety of activities in these volunteer community service hours.