Supportive Community

Community Awards

Celebrating Accomplished SMLS Community Members

In recognition of the dedicated service and accomplishments of our community members, SMLS honours members of the school community with three prestigious awards.

Please consider nominating a worthy SMLS community member for one of our community awards. Nominations for the 2024-25 academic year will close January 31, 2025.

Outstanding Alumna Award - recognize an alumna who has made significant achievements in their field and have made a positive impact on the local, national or global community.

The Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award - recognize an individual who has provided outstanding volunteer service to the school over a number of years.

The Life Governor Award - honour the extraordinary achievements of an individual who has demonstrated the values of SMLS, had a longstanding commitment to the school, is an excellent role model and ambassador for the school, and has made a difference in the lives of others.

For questions or more information, please email advancement@smls.on.ca

Life Governor

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Life Governor Award

The Life Governor Award, which is the school’s highest honour and is awarded bi-annually, honours extraordinary achievements of individuals who have demonstrated the values of SMLS, have had a longstanding commitment to the school, are excellent role models and ambassadors for the school, and have made a difference in the lives of others.

Caroline Hogwood has been named the recipient of the 2022 Life Governor Award. Caroline began her journey at SMLS in 2008 as a parent of Hilary '21, taking on a number of varied volunteer positions over her dedicated 13-year affiliation with the school. A strong supporter of the school, active with the SMLS Parent Association and a longstanding Board Member, Caroline has made a lasting impact on SMLS while also demonstrating leadership in other ways through her work with the Halton Women’s Place and in her professional life. In so many ways, and certainly in every role and interaction with the school community, Caroline has always demonstrated passion and pride in her work and is a consummate role model for women in leadership.

Please note that the Life Governor Award is presented bi-annually and will be awarded again this year (2023-24).
Life Governor Recipients

2022 - Caroline Hogwood
2020 - Colleen McMorrow
2018 - Ann Veale
2016 - Mother Emily Ayckbowm (posthumously)
Ruth Lightbourn (posthumously)
Sister Anita Cook CSC
June Cockwell
Donald Pangman

Outstanding Alumna

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Outstanding Alumna Award

The Outstanding Alumna Award is awarded annually and recognizes alumnae for significant achievements in their field and positive impact on the local, national or global communities, while upholding the principles and values of SMLS.

The 2022-23 recipient is Natalie Jenner ‘87. Natalie is a lawyer, entrepreneur and an internationally acclaimed author. Her award-winning books celebrate friendship and community, and serve to offer readers comfort and hope for the future. Since her graduation, Natalie has remained connected to SMLS, hosting special events for the school, serving as a mentor for graduating students, and volunteering with the SMLS Parent Association. Natalie's daughter, Phoebe also attended SMLS and graduated in 2018.
Outstanding Alumna Recipients

2022 - Sarah Baeumler '95
2021 - Suzanne Duncan '79
2020 - Dr. Lauren TRIBE Briens '87
2019 - Dr. Karolyn SMARDZ Frost '75
2018 - Joanne BEAUCHAMP Stacey '78
2017 - Olwen BARROW Davies '58
2016 - Marion Bethel '71
2015 - Dr. Emily Moore '87
2014 - Christie Henderson '89
2013 - Janet Stewart '60
2012 - Melanie Aitken '84

Distinguished Service

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Distinguished Service Award

The Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award celebrates and honours SMLS volunteers for their significant contributions over many years to our school community. Nadine Farran-Gatti was a member of the SMLS Board of Governors, parent of an SMLS alumna and longtime volunteer who passed away suddenly on October 23, 2021. Nadine was a recipient of this award in 2017 and embodied all that this award celebrates. In recognition and appreciation of all that she gave to the SMLS community, this award is proudly named in her honour. Her memory and legacy lives on at SMLS as we honour her contribution to the school through this award each year.

The 2022-23 Nadine Farran-Gatti Distinguished Service Award recipient is Doug Jenkinson. For 10 years, Doug was an SMLS board member, deeply contributing to SMLS’s strong governance. A committed volunteer, Doug has been active on numerous committees of the Board, including Governance, Finance/Audit, Head’s Evaluation and Strategic Planning. He was also a highly valuable member of SMLS’s Covid 19 Governance Task Force in the height of the global pandemic. Members of the SMLS community describe Doug as someone who acts “with complete integrity,” and he is recognized for making regular and meaningful contributions to the oversight of the school during the years his daughters, Emily ‘21 and Megan ‘16, were at SMLS and beyond.
Distinguished Service Recipients

2022 - Kenneth Rogerson
2021 - Stephanie Kennedy '02
2020 - Penny Olson
2019 - Cara Garvey
2018 - Amanda Ashton-Aquino
2017 - Nadine Farran-Gatti
2016 - Dr. Gilbert Lai
2015 - Judith Nunn
2014 - Dianne Lemieux
2013 - Karen Holloway
2012 - Cherilyn Carson
2011 - Janet Pickell
2010 - Andra Carpino