April 18, 2013
The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Joan Shea, Acting Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services:
Ministerial Statement - Outstanding Cadet Earns Diamond Jubilee Medal
Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House today to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of 17-year-old Tiffany Thistle-Samson of Foxtrap, who recently earned the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. In addition to her leadership role as an army cadet, Tiffany has committed much time and effort into community volunteering and fundraising, contributing to organizations including the Children’s Wish Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, the Terry Fox Run and the Royal Canadian Legion. Tiffany’s altruistic work did not go unnoticed and led to an award nomination by a member of the army cadets.
On February 18, Tiffany was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal during a ceremony held at Government House. Tiffany is the only army cadet in Newfoundland and Labrador to receive this award and she is certainly a deserving recipient of this prestigious medal.
A very special part of Tiffany’s story is that she has been living with a loving and caring foster family for the past six years. In fact, it was Tiffany’s foster mother who encouraged her to get involved with army cadets. With the support of foster parents, the social workers who maintain a collaborative relationship between her birth family and foster parents, and mentor Joan Green within the cadet movement, Tiffany has excelled.
Mr. Speaker, we believe all children and youth who are temporarily unable to live with their biological parents deserve the opportunity to thrive in nurturing and supportive care, such as a foster family. Tiffany’s success story embodies the message of our new Foster A Future…Foster A Child Today campaign. In this campaign we encourage residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to open their homes and their hearts to children and youth who need a warm and caring place to stay for a day, a week, or longer. Any person interested in becoming a foster parent can visit fosterafuture.ca 
for more information.
Mr. Speaker, I commend Tiffany on her award and acknowledge the wonderful support of her foster family. With plans to study psychology at Memorial University and continue her involvement in the cadet movement, Tiffany demonstrates that she is a bright and ambitious individual with a promising future, and we wish her all the best.
Congratulations, Tiffany.
Thank you.
2013 04 18 1:45 p.m.