A Fraser Lake child's impression of Terry Fox has inspired the imagination of Fox's brother and the federal government.
Andrew Schulz from the Fraser Lake elementary-secondary school is one of three picked from across Canada for the "What Terry Fox Means to Me" youth challenge, through which young Canadians were invited to express how this Canadian hero and his legacy inspire them.
Andrew's celebrated entry said: "Terry's courageous first step. His determination to overcome. His hope for a cure. We are inspired to continue the journey."
The announcement was made by Peter Kent, the federal minister responsible for parks, and Fox's brother Darrell Fox representing the Fox family and the Terry Fox Foundation.
Attempts to reach Schulz were unsuccessful as he was travelling back to our region from Ottawa.
The challenge included two components. First, young Canadians were invited to submit a quote of what Terry Fox means to them, and second, to submit a design concept showing their interpretation of the route Terry Fox followed on his Marathon of Hope from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The French quote finalist is Alyssa Villeneuve from the St. Patrick Catholic elementary school in Rockland, Ontario. The finalist of the design concept category was Ashley Murray from the Barnhill Memorial Hill school from Saint John, New Brunswick. Schulz was deemed to have penned the best quote in the English language category.
Parks Canada will use the selected quotes and route design concept as inspiration for the final design of the Terry Fox Mile '0' Memorial Site in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, the site where Terry Fox began his Marathon of Hope in 1980.
"Terry's dream has been shared and embraced by millions of people over the years. With each new generation comes an opportunity to share Terry's story, revive his message of hope, and ensure the continuation of his dream," said Darrell Fox. "I am delighted that young Canadians are involved in developing the Mile 0 site where Terry began his Marathon of Hope."
Kent said, "Congratulations Andrew, Alyssa and Ashley and thank you for sharing with us what Terry Fox means to you."
The final work by Schulz and his fellow finalists will be revealed once the work by Parks Canada is underway.
It was 30 years ago this past spring that Fox began his Odyssy, attempting to cross Canada running on a prosthetic leg while raising money and awareness for cancer. Although he made it only half way before the disease took his life, his Marathon of Hope has reached many milestones over the years, raising millions of dollars and vastly improving the outcomes for cancer patients the world over. This work, and his journey, continues.
