The recipients and honourable mentions for the 2011 Begbie Contest were announced in early June.

English

• Winner: Jeffrey Tso, Burnaby North Secondary, BC, 98%

Jeffrey Tso was born in Hong Kong, while still under the status of a British crown colony. Since his early preschool years, his father had frequently entertained him with tales of early Chinese history, embedding a fascination with ancient civilization. While this remained a casual interest throughout much of primary school, his relative success in socials led him to pursue more history-oriented courses in high school. During his studies on Canadian history in grade 10, he was encouraged along with several classmates to exercise their analytical skills through the Begbie contest. Although he has entered the Faculty of Commerce at the University of British Columbia, he plans to devote much of his studies to pursue his interest in history. To him, history is vital for our understanding of the present, providing multiple perspectives from which to interpret the world as it transforms about us.

Honourable Mention

• Jessica Chen, Crofton House, Vancouver, BC, 97%
• Dan McGee, Sir Winston Churchill, St. Catherines, ON, 96%
• Scott Peverell, Seaquam Secondary, Delta, BC, 96%
• Carolyn Shen, Burnaby North Secondary, BC, 96%

Eden Nzeyimana, Riverside Secondary School, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia.

French

• Winner: Eden Nzeyimana, Riverside Secondary, Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, 92%

Eden Nzeyimana has always been interested in Canadian History, and found the idea of being able to compete on a national level in French very appealing. She found the competition challenging. It was sometimes difficult to discern how some of the documents were related to the multiple choice questions, and there is always the struggle to glean the most valid arguments for the written questions. This fall, Eden plans to major in Biology at the University of Ottawa, but the university is very flexible in declaring majors and minors, so she will also do history or International Studies. By going through the French Immersion program, she will continue her studies in French. Eden believes that history is very important for students, that they feel detached from the things that have shaped human beings as a civilization because they didn’t have to experience it. To not understand what has happened before them, and their country is to repeat the mistakes that have been made, and belittle the sacrifices of others.

Honorable Mention

• Yang Lan, Oakville Trafalgar, Oakville, ON, 91%
• Corwan Groux, Sir Winston Churchill, ON, 90%
• Liane Hewitt, Sir Winston Churchill, BC, 89%
• Justin Chan, Moscrop Secondary, BC, 80%

About the award

The Begbie Contest joined the Canada's History Awards in 2009.

The contest is open to high school students. The aim of the contest is to provide students with an opportunity to compare their knowledge of Canadian history with other students across Canada.

In developing and promoting the Begbie Canadian History Contest, the Begbie Contest Society believes that the effective study of our history can provide Canadian students with the opportunity to develop the research, evaluation and communication skills so necessary for citizens in modern society.

The Begbie Canadian History Contest examines Canadian History from 1850 to the present. Test your understanding of Canadian history and your ability to analyze and interpret: Statistics; Paintings; Graphs; Posters; Maps; Songs; Photographs; Political Cartoons; Advertisements; Memoirs; Diaries; and Speeches.

Prizes:

• One prize of $1000 for every 250 entrants
• A Begbie Contest medal to the top scoring contestant in each school (winning scores must be 80% or better.)
• Each contestant will receive a certificate of participation.
• The top English and top French contestant in the country will also receive a medal presented by the Governor General at a ceremony held in Ottawa.

Deadline for entries is March 10, 2011; The contest date is April 13, 2011. Visit the Begbie Contest for more information.