Zachary Rebitt is the Governor General鈥檚 Academic Medal recipient at Georges P Vanier Secondary School for 2023.
Governor General鈥檚 Academic Medals have become the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can receive. They are awarded to the student graduating with the highest average from a high school and from approved college or university programs.
Besides having an overall average of 96.8 per cent in all academic courses, including Chemistry 12, Precalculus 12, Physics 12, and Physical Geography 12, Zachary was also awarded the Georges P. Vanier Summit Shield Award, presented to the top all-round student in the school.
He played many school sports over his time at Vanier, including rugby, volleyball, cross-country, and mountain biking. He has since become an elite mountain biker, spending the last few months competing professionally in Europe. Zach is currently competing at the National level here in Canada in the Enduro discipline.
Rebitt has a good sense of community and has always remained humble despite his many successes. He has always taken time to give back to school and community, having been an active member of the Vanier Rotary Interact Club throughout his time at Vanier. A highlight for Rebitt was always the poinsettia fundraiser held every year at Christmastime. Proceeds have been directed at both local and international charities. He plans to attend North Island College this fall to begin a post-secondary education in forestry, pursuing opportunities as a registered forestry technician and eventually a degree as a forestry engineer from UBC.
The Governor General鈥檚 Academic Medals are awarded at four distinct levels: bronze at the secondary school level; collegiate bronze at the post-secondary, diploma level; silver at the undergraduate level; and gold at the graduate level. Medals are presented on behalf of the Governor General by participating educational institutions, along with personalized certificates signed by the Governor General.
