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Frances Kelsey’s Lucy Johnson named Student of the Month for December

Creator of Hangout Club is school’s ‘social conscience’
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Lucy Johnson receives her Student of the Month award from Duncan Rotary Club president Gregg Perry, with Frances Kelsey principal Jeff Rowan to the left and vice-principal Camila Bhandari-Arscott to the right. (Kevin Rothbauer/Citizen)

Lucy Johnson saw a need at Frances Kelsey Secondary School, so she stepped up and filled it.

Inspired by a cousin in England who was diagnosed with special needs, the Grade 11 student started the Hangout Club at Kelsey, a place where students with and without special needs can spend time, working on communications skills and just having someone they can talk to.

It was those efforts and others that earned Johnson the Student of the Month award for December from the Duncan Rotary Club.

“Feeling like you have no one to talk to can be difficult at times,” Johnson explained. “I try to help them have as much fun as they can and feel wanted.”

Johnson not only gives back herself, but is also encouraging the students she works with to give back. The Hangout Club held a bake sale last fall, raising $250 for the BC Children’s Hospital.

In addition to the Hangout Club, Johnson is involved with the Kelsey yearbook, helping to introduce new concepts like a student survey and siblings page, and a peer counsellor. For her inquiry project, she chose to study bullying, and turned that into workshops for Grade 8 students. In February, she is beginning a dual credit Early Childhood Education program, which will lead toward her post-secondary goal of working in child and youth care.

Outside of school, Johnson’s activities include dressing up as the mascot for the Cowichan Bulldogs minor football teams.

Kelsey vice-principal Camila Bhandari-Arscott said Johnson helps give other students “a sense of belonging.”

“Lucy brings a great social conscience for us,” principal Jeff Rowan added. “She’s the voice of the students so we can figure out what’s going on.”



Kevin Rothbauer

About the Author: Kevin Rothbauer

Kevin Rothbauer is the sports reporter for the Cowichan Valley Citizen
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