Chance Banks

Fifteen-year-old Chance Banks of Lennox Island is this edition’s Student of the Month and he deserves every aspect of the title.
Chance just recently graduated from Hernewood Intermediate and will be entering Grade 10 at Westisle High School come September. During his three years at Hernewood, Chance took part in the Senior Band, where he played the drums, in a Drama program and was active in a Drug Awareness Program. Chance and the rest of the band even had the chance to play in Halifax for the Atlantic Canada Band Council.
Chance said one of his favourite parts about Hernewood was travelling to Ottawa for their Grade 9 History and Travel trip. Thanks to their fundraising efforts, he and his classmates spent one week over there going on tours and it didn’t take long for Chance to fall in love with Old Quebec, a place where he said the ancient medieval scenery makes him want to go back soon.
Along with his great academics, Chance’s positive attitude and kindness towards others was recently honoured when he received this year’s Kariya Bernard Memorial Award. Nominated by Stevie Bernard, Chance received the certificate and $100 cheque at the end of the school year. The Kariya Bernard Memorial Award is annually given to a grade 9 Lennox Island student who best portrays the qualities and characteristics of Kariya. Kariya was described as someone who could always make a person laugh, and was the go-to-guy if you needed advice or even just to share a joke.
“I felt very proud of myself to get that award. It was great,” said Chance.
Amazingly enough, Chance’s extracurricular activities extend further than the school ground. This past May, Chance was the recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award. For a full year, Chance worked on the requirements of the award, most of which was contributing many volunteer hours around Lennox Island and helping out family. His next step is receiving the silver award.
Currently, Chance is looking forward to starting his new school in September where he plans on taking part in a Drama program and in mechanics, but more importantly, plans to strengthen his English skills so one day he can be a successful writer. Chance uses his great imagination to conjure up stories of vampires and werewolves. When it comes to which author he idolizes most, he didn’t have to look far from home. He loves the writing style of his aunt, Julie Pellissier-Lush, who published her own novel recently.
Chance’s parents, Cecil and Janet Banks, couldn’t be prouder of all of Chance’s hard work during school and during his free time, but what is equally important is how proud Chance is of himself.
Congratulations from everyone at the Kwimu Messenger on being our September Student of the Month, Chance!