October 15, 2013

Mélanie-Rose Frappier, a grade 11 student at École secondaire du Sacré-Coeur in Sudbury, was selected as one of the recipients of the Aboriginal Youth Achievement Award. This national distinction, presented annually by the Congress of Aboriginal People’s National Youth Council, recognizes youth for their achievements and contributions as role models. The award ceremony will take place in Ottawa on Friday, October 18.

Mélanie-Rose is an active community leader, striving to make a difference in people’s lives through her contributions. Bright and articulate, she takes great pride in her Francophone and Métis heritage. An active participant in various Aboriginal events such as Louis Riel Day, Earth Day and National Aboriginal Day, she also had an important leadership role as Northern Ontario’s representative in the Youth Ambassador of Canada program, which included the experience of a three-week student exchange in the United States.

This Sacré-Coeur student is committed to making a difference in her community, volunteering over 200 hours at Sudbury’s YMCA where she taught squash. She also plays the piano and sings for the elderly at community centres and senior’s residences. Mélanie-Rose also was very active with the Centre de santé communautaire du Grand Sudbury with her project “C’est cool d’être en santé” (It’s Cool to be Healthy) that educated students on the benefits of exercise and proper nutrition.

“Mélanie-Rose is an outstanding student leader who gives back to her school and community,” stated Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario (CSCNO) Director of Education Mrs. Lyse-Anne Papineau. “An honour student at École secondaire du Sacré-Coeur, she has become a strong role model for our students, actively promoting her Métis and Francophone cultures. Her dedication and commitment to sharing her leadership and improving the health of the community is truly inspiring.”