Tourism, Culture and Recreation
February 18, 2013

Province’s Rich History Celebrated Today

Today (Monday, February 18) is National Heritage Day. In honour of the occasion, the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, was at the Quidi Vidi Plantation for the presentation of the 2012-13 Heritage Day Poster Contest winners, an annual contest hosted by the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“National Heritage Day is celebrated annually across the country in February to recognize the importance of Canada’s history and heritage”, said Minister French. “Since 2005, the Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador has been promoting the importance of preserving and protecting the province’s history to youth through this innovative and creative poster contest. Congratulations to all of the winners and to the Foundation for their continued efforts.”

Victoria Fitzgerald, a grade 11 student at Gonzaga High School in St. John’s, was named the overall winner. Winners in other grade levels were: Primary – Jorja Pevie, Grade 3, Jakeman All Grade, Trout River; Elementary – HaeNa Luther, Grade 5, Stella Maris Academy, Trepassey; and, Junior High – Ashley Synyard, Grade 7, Roncalli Central High, Avondale.

Open to all schools province-wide, the foundation received over 1,000 entries from students in 50 schools throughout the province this year. Judges for the contest included Margaret Walsh Best, artist and art educator; and Debra A. Barnable, visual artist and consultant.

“This is the eighth year that we have held the Heritage Day poster contest and the number of submissions and the quality just keep getting better and better,” said George Chalker, Executive Director, Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. “We are delighted that so many young people have taken an interest in the built heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador is a non-profit Crown agency which was established in 1984 to stimulate an understanding of, and an appreciation for, the architectural heritage of the province. For more information about the foundation and winning contest submissions please visit www.heritagefoundation.ca/home.aspx.

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2013 02 18                           10:55 a.m.