ESSC staff, students recognized at “Forces AVENIR” gala

ESSC staff, students recognized at “Forces AVENIR” gala

The provincial “Forces AVENIR” gala, which was held on October 7 in Quebec City, recognized the work of l’École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge (ESSC) this year. Their “L’Équipiste” project and teacher Martin Bertrand were nominated for recognition at the event, which brings together students, teachers and schools from across Quebec.

The host, Stéphane Bureau, interviewed Vanessa Legault, one of the students who participated in the “L’Équipiste” project, which was nominated in the “Engaged projects” category. She explained how they had added bicycle repair stations to the PPJ trail throughout the Pontiac in order to address a need for tourists and residents using the path.

The gold medal in the “Engaged personnel” category went to Bertrand, who led a student expedition from ESSC to Parliament Hill.

“Me, what I love most is making young people understand that they have no limits. Often the limits are us adults who will impose our limits on them. ‘You can’t do that, 140 km of cycling is too much.’ In reality, no, it’s not too much. Once they understand this, they are able to set their own limits, but also to overcome them,” Bertrand said (translated).

Bertrand added that the expedition would be back in 2022.