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Who is the Unknown Soldier?
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 Contest winner Leah McDonald |
In the fall of 2000, as part of its education outreach program, VAC Prairie Region Communication & Commemoration team organized a writing contest for all high schools in the Prairie Region (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, NWT, and Nunavut), under the theme "Who is the Unknown Soldier?" Prizes were obtained through private sector sponsors (WestJet, Microsoft), with the help of Shandwick International. Prairie Region plans to expand the contest next year, and make it an annual event.
Students were asked to write a creative piece of less than 500 words. The intent was not for them to try to determine the identity of the Unknown Soldier, but to express creatively how he represents any and all Canadians who served our country. Nearly 400 entries from across the Prairie Region were reviewed by VAC staff, with assistance from Canadian Heritage staff. Of those, three finalists from each province and one from NWT were chosen. All finalists received prizes which included a software package donated by Microsoft (MS Publisher) and VAC promotional material.
 Minister Duhamel presents Leah McDonald with a framed copy of her winning poem. |
From the ten finalists, one grand prize winner was chosen. The winner is Leah McDonald, a 17 year-old student from Elrose, Saskatchewan. Leah's prize is a free trip for two to Ottawa, compliments of WestJet. On April 20, at the local Royal Canadian Legion branch in Elrose, Saskatchewan, the Honourable Ron Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, presented Leah with a certificate, a framed copy of her poem, a backpack and software. A framed copy of Leah's poem was also provided to her school for display.
Leah travelled to Ottawa accompanied by her mother. Accommodations were donated by Delta Hotels, and meals by VAC. While Leah was in Ottawa, she took part in a ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with none other than Prince Charles and our Prime Minister. She was also invited to a reception after the ceremony to meet VIP guests. As Leah has an interest in opera, VAC had obtained three free tickets to "Il Travatore," courtesy of the National Arts Centre.
- Read the finalists's poems
- Read Leah's Winning Poem
- Photos from the wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
