O’Donel High School First Aid Responders Jenna Blackmore (left) and Jorja Snow raised funds at O'Donels Relay for Life last week. Blackmore was recently named a recipient of the provincial government’s Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Leadership Bursary. Submitted photo
By Mark Squibb / June 23, 2023
Jenna Blackmore of O’Donel High School in Mount Pearl has been named a recipient of the provincial government’s 2023 Safe, Caring and Inclusive Schools Leadership Bursary.
Blackmore is one of 15 graduating students being recognised from across the province, and will receive a $500 scholarship for helping make her school a safer space for students.
“I was definitely excited to be named a recipient,” said Blackmore. “Obviously it’s good just to get a scholarship, but I was particularly happy with this because I think it’s a good opportunity to raise more awareness for good causes, because there’s a lot of bullying and cyber-bullying these days. I think its really important for schools to focus on making school a place for all students.”
Blackmore is a head leader of the First Aid Responders team at O’Donel.
The school is one of only two high schools in the entire province with a student first responder group. Team members are trained by St. John Ambulance to provide basic and advanced care when called upon to do so. Students attend weekly meetings and monthly training scenarios, and are “on call” to provide help during school hours and at events outside of the school.
But Blackmore said you don’t need to be a first responder to build a safe and welcoming school.
“There’s a lot of different things you can do to make school feel more safe and caring, and inclusive, like walking in with a smile everyday, and saying ‘Good Morning’ to everyone who passes by,” she said.
Blackmore plans to attend Memorial University this fall to study engineering.
The first responders team, meanwhile, was named Youth Group of The Year during this spring’s 2023 Mount Pearl Focus on Youth Awards ceremony.
