Young Canadians: “Raise Your Voices!”

Students’ art to fly high in Canada’s Capital; contest winners to share their experience with the Governor General of Canada

Canada’s Capital Region ─ The National Capital Commission (NCC), in partnership with Classroom Connections and the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General, is kicking off the fourth edition of “Raise Your Voices!”, a cross-Canada classroom banner contest and public art project.

“Through this contest, our youth can share the views that are close to their hearts,” said Guy Laflamme, Senior Vice-President, Capital Experience, Communications and Marketing at the NCC. “We look forward to reflecting their ideas and values in Canada’s Capital Region for all residents and visitors to enjoy.”

Students in Grades 5 through 8 (Elementary 5 through Secondary 2 in Quebec) are being asked to create and submit a one-of-a-kind banner design to the “Raise Your Voices!” National Student Banner Contest 2013. Designs should represent an issue or topic of importance to Canadian youth. The deadline for entries is February 15, 2013. The seven winning banners will be professionally produced by the NCC and seen by thousands as they fly in Major’s Hill Park, in the heart of the Capital, from May to October 2013.

NEW! The artists who create the top three banners, along with their classmates, will meet with the Governor General of Canada, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, via videoconference, to discuss their banner and how they can participate in building smarter and more caring communities, as well as to share their hopes for the future.

Last spring, for the third edition of the contest, seven winning banners were chosen from more than 1,100 submissions received from coast to coast to coast. Those winning designs from students across Canada continue to fly high in the Capital until the end of October. To see this year’s winners, and for details about how students can participate in this exciting challenge, visit www.canadascapital.gc.ca/bannercontest.

For more information about the NCC’s youth programs, classroom resources or other NCC programs, the public can contact the NCC at 613-239-5000, 1-800-465-1867 (toll-free), 613-239-5090 (TTY) or 1-866-661-3530 (toll-free TTY), or visit the NCC’s website at www.canadascapital.gc.ca.

For more information about the role of the Governor General, visit www.gg.ca/eduzone.

Classroom Connections is a non-profit organization dedicated to initiating positive societal change by producing progressive educational resources for Canada’s youth. To learn more about its programs and services, visit www.classroomconnections.ca.

Media Information: