NEWS RELEASE ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS FEDERATION
The Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF/FEESO) presented the 2025 Student Achievement Awards at the OSSTF/FEESO Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly this past weekend, celebrating winners from across Ontario.
Fergus student Brinley Cuthbertson of Centre Wellington District High School won the award for Prose & Poetry, Non-Credit.
“The remarkable creativity of Ontario students never ceases to inspire me,” said OSSTF/FEESO president Karen Littlewood.
“This year’s theme, Is Anyone Out There, inspired powerful artistic expressions that explore connection, isolation, and the search for belonging. It’s a testament to the depth and insight of Ontario students and the incredible work they produce,”
In her poem Hold Me Down, Cuthbertson writes, “I am searching for my humanity, for my humility,” capturing the universal longing for validation and understanding.
With remarkable insight, Cuthbertson explores the struggle to protect our inner selves from the prying eyes of the world and the profound challenge of shedding that armour, even for a moment, to reveal our true selves and trust others.
“These awards are a testament to the creativity and passion of Ontario students and reflect the profound influence that OSSTF/FEESO members have on their students’ learning journeys,” Littlewood said.
“By fostering safe and inclusive spaces for self-expression, our members help students explore important themes like those in this year’s Is Anyone Out There submissions—artwork that challenges, inspires, and brings us closer together,”
