DDSB Welcomes New Honourees to Definitely Durham Hall of Fame

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is proud to announce this year’s Definitely Durham award winners. Definitely Durham is the DDSB’s hall of fame, celebrating and showcasing the success of former students and public education in our community.

The 2020 Definitely Durham inductees include:

• The Honourable Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health of Ontario
• Dale Hawerchuk, NHL Player and Philanthropist (awarded posthumously)
• Jessica Phoenix, Olympian and Pan-American Medalist in Equestrian
• Geoff Warburton, Grammy Nominated Songwriter

The honourees were celebrated virtually this year at the February 16, 2021 board meeting, where they were each presented with an award. A plaque for each inductee will be displayed on the ‘wall of fame’ in the Durham District School Board Education Centre.

Please see the attached backgrounder for further information on this year’s Definitely Durham award winners. The Durham District School Board will be inviting future nominations from community members in 2023 for the next round of the Definitely Durham Hall of Fame.

 Quotes

“The Definitely Durham Hall of Fame showcases the excellence and leadership demonstrated by former DDSB students who have gone on to achieve incredible feats in various walks of life. We are extremely pleased and proud to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of four extraordinary individuals who have lived and learned within the walls of our great schools. Congratulations to the Definitely Durham Class of 2020 Hall of Fame.”

- Carolyn Morton, Chair of the Durham District School Board

“I am proud to accept this award as a graduate of the Durham District School Board. Every step along the way, I was offered encouragement to continue learning, to ask questions and to see the bigger picture. I am grateful for the amazing teachers that I had, the huge impression they made on me and how they helped me to do the work I am doing today.”

- The Honourable Christine Elliott

“As a former Durham District School Board student and proud sister, I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of my brother Dale. I’ve always been very proud of my brother, not just for his athletic skills but as a human being. To be remembered as a kind, humble and generous person, you could not ask for more.”

- Dayna Hawerchuk, sister of Dale Hawerchuk

“Thank you so much for this incredible honour, I am grateful to be among this group of honourees. To be able to grow up in Durham Region, and to now watch my children going to the same incredible schools is just a dream come true. I will be proudly sporting this award in the barn next to the other medals. Go Durham Region!”

- Jessica Phoenix

“It’s an honour to be recognized among these other amazing inductees and a privilege to have grown up attending both Vaughan Willard Public School and Pine Ridge Secondary School. I am thankful for the many supportive teachers and coaches over the years who have invested so much into my life and success.”

- Geoff Warburton

Visit our website to learn more about our 2020 Definitely Durham honourees.

The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is responsible for public education in the rural settings of Uxbridge, Brock and Scugog Townships and the urban settings of Ajax, Whitby, Pickering and Oshawa. The DDSB employs 6,900 teaching and educational services staff. With 133 elementary and secondary schools and learning centres, the DDSB accommodates more than 72,000 regular day students and thousands more who take advantage of a wide variety of continuing education and adult credit courses. More information can be found on the DDSB’s website at www.ddsb.ca. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @DurhamDSB, Instagram @durhamschools and YouTube at DurhamDSB.

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