Milton students’ work in mental health field recognized with Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Awards

Two Miltonians are among the 14 exceptional Ontario residents to receive a Lieutenant Governors’ Legacy Award.

Local students Rukshika Krishnamoorthy and Ngaire Rasmussen received the awards for the work they have done to build a stronger, more inclusive and welcoming Ontario.

The awards honour the legacies and contributions in the areas of anti-racism, literature, accessibility and mental health research of four previous Lieutenant Governors – Lincoln M. Alexander, James Bartleman, David C. Onley and Hilary M. Weston.

“I am proud to further the legacy of my predecessors by presenting these awards that bear their name to 14 worthy recipients,” said Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “Through their creativity, leadership and determination to improve the lives of others, they have made impressive and inspirational contributions to their communities and to our province.”

The Lincoln M. Alexander Award is given annually to young leaders who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in working to fight racism and discrimination, while promoting equity and inclusion in their communities.

Each recipient of the Lincoln M. Alexander Award receives a $5,000 cash award and a personalized certificate.

Krishnamoorthy faced bullying and racism in elementary school. Dedicated to creating a more inclusive community, she created online mental health resources distributed across the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and she offers free online tutoring for children in Sri Lanka. She is also the under-18 co-chair of the Kids Help Phone National Youth Council.

The Hilary M. Weston Scholarship is awarded annually to two social work students enrolled in a full-time graduate level program at a publicly-funded Ontario university for their academic excellence and dedication to advancing mental health research.

Successful recipients receive a personalized certificate and a one-time award of $7,500 each.

Rasmussen decided to study mental health after her experience navigating the healthcare system while facing personal issues. She piloted a study examining music’s role in school readiness for disadvantaged preschoolers. A master of social work student at Wilfrid Laurier University, her dissertation will explore leveraging the experience of addictions peer support workers as a primary source of expertise.