National award for alumna

Congratulations to Nipissing alumna Laura Stemp (BEd’ 17), on earning the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers in recognition of her significant contributions to her communities.

Stemp, who is currently teaching Grade 1 in Pikangikum First Nation in northwestern Ontario, has an impressive track record of volunteerism, beginning when she was a high school student and completed over 2,000 volunteer hours by coaching skating, working at a summer camp, fundraising for local charities, helping in school events, and working for her school board, among other things.

Since then she has coached CanSkate; volunteered extensively at Christie Lake Camp (a residential summer camp for youth whose families live below the poverty line); helped the Queen’s University Marching Band as a highland dancer, alumni relations director and operations manager; helped raised more than $20,000 as captain of the Queen's Band Relay for Life team, and served as a Girl Guide Leader for the North Bay Sparks.

The Sovereign's Medal for Volunteers recognizes the exceptional volunteer achievements of Canadians from across the country in a wide range of fields.

As an official Canadian honour, the Medal for Volunteers incorporates and replaces the Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award. The Medal builds on the legacy and spirit of the Caring Canadian Award by honouring the dedication and commitment of volunteers.