Grade 12 Eastside Secondary School student Devin Carmen has been named this year’s High School Kindness Citizen.
The Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness (VARAK) Program along with the Quinte Mall presented Devin with a new laptop computer, printer, a certificate of appreciation and Quinte Mall gift card on Monday.
Devin was nominated by his high school because he exemplifies the attributes of genuine caring and kindness.
Devin is always the first to say hello to others in the hallway, he will bear hug friends and welcome new people to the Eastside community.
In the Special Olympics, Devin is the ideal sportsman, he congratulates others and enjoys participating just for the fun of it.
Devin volunteers every morning to help set up the classroom and assists other students in their morning work.
VARAK bursary winners this year are Elizabeth Joseph, a grade 11 student at Quinte Christian High School and Max Szabo who is in grade 10 at St. Theresa.
Elizabeth Joseph 2025 VARAK Bursary Winner. (Photo: submitted)
Elizabeth was nominated by her high school because of her kind and caring nature while Max was nominated by his school because he is always respectful to staff and his peers and often goes over and above to help anyone who needs the help.
Max Szabo 2025 VARAK Bursary Winner. (Photo: submitted)
Each receive a $250 bursary, a certificate of appreciation and Quinte Mall gift card.
Also honoured was eight-year-old Jack Bouder who received a Junior Achievement Award.
Jack has raised thousands and thousands of dollars to help others in his Community by selling cookies, painting rocks, selling chocolate bars and almonds.
Some of Jack’s accomplishments are that he participated in Grace Inn’s Coldest Night and has an annual hats, socks, mitts and blanket drive to purchase granola bars and snacks for those at Grace Inn.
Jack has held his own run for cancer and also raised money to provide support for three children who recently lost their father.
In the summer of 2024 Jack did a bottle drive and sold rocks for his third annual Christmas party helping Santa give gifts to 14 children.
He was presented with a plaque, certificate of appreciation, a Quinte Mall Gift Card and a Toys “R” Us gift card.
Jack Bouder received a special VARAK Junior Achievement Award at Kindness Court in Quinte Mall, March 24, 2025.
