Lenna Uhrynuk’s true passions are children and education.
On November 20, the Niagara College Early Childhood Education (ECE) student was presented with the Margaret Hamilton Graduating Student Award at the 23rd annual Niagara Early Learning and Child Care Awards of Excellence in St. Catharines.
Uhrynuk, a second-year student entering her final semester in the ECE program, received the prestigious award in front of 375 guests at the Storybook Gala at the Holiday Inn in St. Catharines, coordinated by the Early Childhood Community Development Centre. A host of other awards were given to individuals and organizations making a difference in the lives of children in the Niagara region.
Uhrynuk says she’s “honoured and happy” to have won the Margaret Hamilton Graduating Student Award.
Lenna Uhrynuk is pictured with her mother and faculty from the School of Community Services at the awards ceremony.
“Winning this award means that all my hard work and dedication over the last year is being recognized through my assignments, classes and placements,” said Uhrynuk. “This award is personally meaningful to me because I have a passion for children and education that I get to practice during this program.”
“Lenna was a unanimous decision among the faculty,” said NC’s Angela Hayes, professor in the School of Community Services, who was among those who selected Uhrynuk. “Her excellent work does not go unnoticed, despite her quiet humble nature in the classroom. We are confident that Lenna will make an impact in this field and we feel fortunate to have been a part of developing her academic vision.”
It was Uhrynuk’s passion for working with children that made the ECE program a natural fit. Having first volunteered in a kindergarten class, she knew she would find fulfillment teaching young minds. Through the program, the second-year student has found the field placements to be great preparation for graduation. She’s also had the opportunity to earn extra credentials and specialized training to help her find employment working with children.
Hayes explains that Margaret Hamilton, the namesake of the award, was once the coordinator of the Early Childhood Education program at NC. “While I did not get to meet her, legend has it that she had very high standards, was a champion in the field, and held all her students accountable to the professional expectations she had for herself.”
