The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Education:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to extend congratulations to the 12 students who represented our province at the 2021 Virtual Canada Wide Science Fair hosted by Carlton University from May 17 to 21.

The students who participated in the national science fair were selected from two Husky Energy Newfoundland Science and Technology Fairs, held in April.

The first fair was held for students in the Labrador, Western and Central Newfoundland regions, and saw the selection of Grace Tuglavina from Lake Melville School in North West River, Amy Gillard from St. Stephen’s All Grade in Rencontre East as well as Hannah Babstock, Miya Burden, Cassie Saunders, and Ethan Woodfine, all students at Holy Cross School Complex in Eastport.

The Eastern Science and Technology Fair saw the selection of Holy Heart students Livi Allen, John Hiscock and Nicholas Qiu, Holy Spirit High student Caleb Tibbs as well as Orpa Hawlader and Dipayan Sutra Dhar from MacDonald Drive Junior High.

Mr. Speaker, the national virtual fair included 374 projects from junior and senior high students from across the country, including all provinces and territories. Livi Allen, Orpa Hawlader and Nicholas Qiu each won a bronze medal at this competition.

I ask all Honourable members to join me in congratulating the 12 students of the 2021 Science Team NL. The students represented the province with pride and are to be commended for their hard work and perseverance in successfully completing a science project during these challenging times.

Thank you.