Meet the Literacy Champions

Heyy!! My name is Abigail Morgan (she/her), and I was born and raised in Newfoundland. I’m currently in my 12th year in school and preparing for College in the Fall 2024. For as long as I can remember I have had my face stuffed in a book. My love for books has grown from a very young age. My favorite thing to do on warm sunny days is to sit outside with a good book taking it all in. Growing up I’ve never had many other people in my classes who liked to read so I am very excited to meet many people who share the same love for books as I do. I am also involved in almost every sport my school offers and the local cadet corp in my area. These activities always keep me busy so the quiet moments with a book are truly amazing. I am very excited to work with Digitally Lit and look forward to supporting local authors and getting to share their work with others. I have seen many people struggle to get their ideas and work out into the world, and I am glad I can be there to help others achieve their dreams. 

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Status: Active

My name is Gabby LaPierre and I currently live in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

 

My favourite part of living on the East Coast is being surrounded by the sea. And eating oatcakes of course! Although I've changed a lot since I was little what has always stayed the same was my love of the ocean and reading. I got it from my mother who got it from hers. Books have always been an outlet for my mind to momentarily escape. Between pulling my hair out over school, creating art, and cooking, I'm engrossed in a book to decompress.

 

I believe it is important to support local authors because it brings the community closer by sharing our culture, places, and stories. This is why I'm so excited to become a Literacy Champion with Digitally Lit and meet like-minded people.

 

And there's nothing wrong with always being the kid who raises their hand when the teacher asks: "And who thought the book was better than the movie?"

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Status: Alumni

My name is Kennedy Burrell (They/them) and I am a grade 12 student from Riverview, New Brunswick.
I have grown up as an avid reader, and found myself getting lost in books. Thankfully, although I was bad at returning them, the library always had tons of interesting books among the shelves.
As of right now, my time for reading is much lower than preferred, as I own and run my small business and I am getting prepared to move to Halifax in order to attend Saint Mary’s University.
What most excites me about being a literary champion is being able to take up reading again, and being able to explore the works of local authors while doing so.

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Status: Active

My name is Jack Petitpas (They/He) I've lived my whole life in Nova Scotia.
I've finally reached 12th grade and can confidently say that I'm scared for it to end.
With a passion for writing, reading and all things reptile related, I love
learning more on those respective topics. I also love archeology, paleontology,
herpetology, ichthyology, ornithology and so much more I could list.
I write short stories that have a reoccurring morbid theme, participate in local
writing competitions when available and make an effort to improve my own writing.
With my writing, I hope to make others feel emotion as they envelope themselves in a world of words. It's a goal I've derived from how I feel when I read, and I want to be able to tell a story that I can proudly declare, changed its readers.

Every word is a tale, with
its own unique ending. 

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Status: Active

Hi! My name is Jane Tucker and I currently live in Antigonish Nova Scotia but previously I have lived in Ottawa Ontario and more recently Corner Brook Newfoundland. 

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Since as long as I can remember I have loved stories, be them read, watched or shared verbally. Outside of my love for reading I am an artistic swimmer and have a love for baking just about anything. My favourite genres would have to be fantasy and dystopia but truthfully I will read just about anything. 

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Status: Active

Hello! My name is Jaime Dalley (she/her) and I have been living in eastern Newfoundland for all of my life. 

 

My favourite thing to do in my free time is read books! I have been reading for as long as I can remember. I love reading books of all genres, but my personal favourites would be fictional ones about mental health journeys. Some of my other hobbies include crocheting, playing the clarinet, drawing and creating art, listening to music, and watching baseball. 

 

I have decided to become a Literacy Champion with Digitally Lit because I think reading books from Atlantic Canadian authors is a great way to connect with our community and learn about each other's lives and cultures. I also think that it is outstanding to have young readers connect with each other and their communities as well. 

 

When I grow up, I would love to become either an author, writer, or editor (or perhaps more than one if I’m really lucky)! It would be my dream to create and write books for young readers so that they can grow up to be artistic and be as inspired and imaginative as possible. 

 

One interesting fact about me is that I love to go camping in the summer time with my family. Newfoundland is a fantastic place to live outdoors because of its beautiful landscapes and peaceful atmosphere. Another plus about camping is that you get to read outdoors too while also getting some sunshine! Another fact about me is that I am a  huge dog-lover. I currently have a husky-lab mix and his name is Bear. Pets can be so comforting to have around which is why I love them so much!

 

Lastly, remember that reading is never a waste of time! Keep reading!

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Status: Active

My name is Jessica Murphy and I live in West Chezzetcook, Nova Scotia! I’m currently in grade 12 preparing to go to University in Fall 2021.

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Ever since I first learned how to read, I have been reading book after book all from different genres. I inherited my love for reading from my mom. Growing up I remember specifically looking forward to joining my local public library's summer reading program. The program had prizes, and the more books you read the more milestones you reached. I would finish every summer with so many books checked off of my list, it was so rewarding! Now I take my time to enjoy what I read because it is a great way for me to escape. My personal favourite genres are currently graphic/manga but I also enjoy a good fantasy or thriller novel.

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What I most look forward to when it comes to being a Literacy Champion is discovering local authors and seeking out new varieties of books. It’s also important to me to keep reading alive among our community to spark some joy in people’s lives – whether that be a book or an ebook you can learn so many new things!

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Status: Alumni

My name is Kayla Christina, and I live in Sackville Nova Scotia. 

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Some of the experiences that make me an ideal literacy champion are that I am excellent at thinking outside the box and thinking on the more creative side of things. I have always been great at coming up with my own story ideas especially in my two favourite genres: dystopian fiction and thriller.

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Status: Alumni

My name is Luna Robichaud. I'm almost 16 and I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Every second weekend I spend in Sackville Nova Scotia with my father.  I decided to take on as a Literacy Champion as it seems like a good fit for my high school co-op placement.

 

Since my teacher introduced me to Digitally Lit I am intrigued by the organization's inclusiveness and how all the books are centred around authors based in Atlantic Canada. Honestly I never even knew there were so many books written by Atlantic Canadian Authors! 

 

My reading and art have always been something my mother encourages me to do since I enjoyed it so much. I have almost a dozen sketchbooks, lots of books and almost 10 or so notebooks for writing down ideas for my own creative fiction. I accidentally read through my English classes in junior high because the books I was reading were so interesting and a nice break from my chaotic and loud classroom. My favorite genres are Dystopian apocalyptic, Sci-fi, and  Fantasy. I also love being outdoors and in quiet forest areas, above all else, I love to read my books surrounded by nature.

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Status: Alumni

Hi! My name is Melanie Lush, I’m 17, I use she/her pronouns, and I currently live in a small rural neighborhood inside St.John’s Newfoundland. 

 

I spent my early childhood living in Cambridge Ontario with my parents and two brothers. I’m a triplet so growing up with two brothers my age meant I loved stories. Whether it was books, movies, or the occasional story I’d make up to get my siblings in trouble, I could get lost in stories for hours. 

 

Being a little bit older now and living on the east coast means I love the ocean. I love the way it smells and the way the waves crash onto the shore. My favorite pastime is riding my bike down to the beach and taking out a good book. I love being able to sit on the rocks all day and just read while the tiny crabs and seagulls move around me. I love when I finish a book and look up to see the sunset leaving beautiful colours in the sky and across the water. 

 

I’m glad to be a part of Digitally Lit and support local authors as I see first hand every day how many talented people there are on the east coast that need to get the recognition they deserve. If their work is even a fraction of how beautiful their provinces are then I know myself and others will really enjoy reading it.

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Status: Active

My name is Ovia Mano (she/her) and I hail from the West Coast of Newfoundland!

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I’m currently a second year student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where I also work as an ESL discussion leader. In my spare time I like to bake, exercise, hang out with my friends, and read of course! I’m also a proud member of Youth Climate Lab’s RAD Cohort. I’m fluent in English and French. I also speak a little bit of Tamil.

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I’ve been a reader on and off throughout my life, but have been reading consistently for the last 2 and a half years. I decided to become a literary champion because of my love of books and social media! They are two of the passions that I want to pursue combined:) 

A random fact about me is that I have been to 6 countries outside of Canada, spanning 3 continents!

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Status: Active

My name is Pippin Leck! (They/them) I am a Co-op student from Prince Andrew High School in Dartmouth. I was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but spent much of my early childhood living overseas and traveling with my parents and brother. We moved back when I was 5 years old.

 

My parents always encouraged me to read and explore my creativity. I have many good memories of reading Lord of the Rings with my dad when I was 8 and my mom reading Harry Potter to me and my brother during road trips when we were kids.  

 

I have been writing stories for as long as I can remember. My dream is to one day get published and make a living off my books. When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading books like, The Hunger Games, The 5th Wave Trilogy and The Maze Runner series. I also love watching movies and TV shows, going camping and hiking with my Venturer troop and listening to music. 

 

I’m excited to make connections and meet amazing writers!

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Status: Alumni

Hi! I’m homeschooled in the Maritimes. Reading has always been a huge part of my life. My twin sister and I would always spend a large portion of our day just reading.

 

I am fluent in English and Arabic and I’m learning Turkish and French. Other than reading, I  also love sports (especially basketball), writing poetry, being in nature, baking, painting (and other forms of art, though I’m not the best, it's one of my hobbies), playing piano, studying, and spending time with family and friends. I love reading both nonfiction and fiction books.

 

I believe that good books have the special ability to transport the reader into a magical world filled with adventure and good morals. I think that every book has a unique message for those that care enough to understand it. There is always something you can learn from the characters even if they are fictitious.

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Status: Active

Hello! My name is Sarah Anderson (they/she), and I currently live in Torbay, Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In the fall, I will be entering my first year as a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland, where I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Science and ultimately majoring in psychology! 

My favourite things to do in my spare time include reading, grabbing coffee with friends, and creating digital art. Although I tend to read a variety of genres, I wholeheartedly love historical fiction and mythological retellings the most. 

I have decided to become a Literacy Champion with Digitally Lit because I believe in the significance of supporting local authors and promoting their work. Literature is an incredible mechanism to intertwine communities and expose them to different cultures – which is why I aspire to play a key role in connecting young readers to these opportunities. 

When I grow up, one of my main aspirations is to become a psychiatrist. Because I have always found my interest piqued by subjects such as biology and psychology, there is nothing I can picture myself doing more than entering a scientific career. Most of all, I want to be able to help people to the best of my ability – and I plan on doing so by being an advocate in healthcare who makes mental health resources more accessible and destigmatized. 

Lastly, never be afraid to pursue your passions and work hard to achieve any goals you may have

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Status: Active

My name is Savannah Ferris and I’m currently living in Salisbury New Brunswick! I’m in my second year of university at Univeristé de Moncton with a major in biochemistry and a minor in chemistry. 

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I’m super excited to rejoin the Digitally Lit team as it has been a huge part of my life. I have loved reading since a young age, and I want to help build a bigger platform for Atlantic Canadian reads. 

I’m bilingual in French and English. Fun fact I have pierced my own ears 5 times.

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Status: Active

Hi, my name is Zaid Hassan. I am a 16-year-old student currently living with my parents and siblings in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. My love for reading is not always how it used to be. I was the most inadequate reader in my friend group. I started going to my local library to check out some books to practice my reading. A year after that, I became a sufficient reader and used to go to the library weekly to get new books. Ever since then, I have been reading steadily on my own with no looking back. My love for reading made me wonder why I wasn't writing my own stories, so my friends and I started brainstorming plots for our short stories. We have written many short stories and are now making comics! I also enjoy participating in other programs at my school, and the MacPhee Centre programs. 

 

As a Literacy Champion, I can use my skills online and my communicating skills to encourage and inspire people to read books published by Atlantic Authors.

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Status: Active