Bailey Francis in Vimy France this week!

Bailey Francis, Grade 11, won a prestigious national award, the Vimy Pilgrimage Award.  Out of hundreds of applicants from across the country, Bailey Francis, a grade 11 student at the Sacred Heart School of Halifax, was selected to participate in this program, which recognizes the actions of young people who demonstrate outstanding service, positive contributions, notable deeds, bravery or leadership. This story highlights the achievements of local youth, but also builds into a larger narrative about the celebrations for Vimy Day in April as well as the campaign to mark the centennial of Vimy Ridge in 2017.

Bailey is in Vimy this week and sends us back these photos, one with the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs!  She tells her mother that she is having a wonderful time.

Bailey said:  "Today I got the honour of meeting the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Julian Fantino. He presented us all with medals for achieving the Vimy Award - a truly amazing experience!"

Bailey with the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs!

The Vimy Pilgrimage Award consists of a fully funded, week-long educational program in Vimy, France, to study Canada’s tremendous First World War effort. This week, scheduled for April 5 – 12, 2014 and organized by The Vimy Foundation, will include classroom education and daily field trips to important First World War sites. The Battle of Vimy Ridge was not simply a First World War battle; students will learn how this event was Canada’s coming of age. 

The students who are participating in the program this year are having particularly unique experience, as the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, has joined the group for Vimy Day to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. 

The students also have the opportunity to be present for the breaking ground on the new Education Centre to be built at the site. This 22,000 sq. ft. (1850 sq. m.) facility will be officially opened at the 100th centennial of the Battle at Vimy Ridge, April 9, 2017, and will also mark the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Confederation.