April 8, 2025 (Alexandria, ON) – Grade 8 French immersion students at Glengarry District High School (GDHS) are bringing local history to life through a unique Real-World Learning project that will enhance the experience of the Glengarry Sports Hall of Fame (HOF). Through video production and digital storytelling, students are preserving the rich sports legacy of Glengarry County while developing valuable research and media skills.
The Glengarry Sports HOF celebrates and commemorates local athletes who have made significant contributions to sports such as soccer, lacrosse, hockey, football, golf, and curling. To help share these stories with a wider audience, students are creating video and digital biographies that will be featured on the HOF’s website and in its museum in Maxville.
The class is currently in phase one of the two-phase project. They visited the HOF in January to capture footage of the exhibits. They are currently interviewing athletes and board representatives for a promotional video that highlights the Hall and its inductees.
The second phase of the project involves online research projects about individual inductees. Each student will research an athlete, using archival articles—mainly from The Glengarry News—and online sources to compile information. Once finalized, the digital biographies will be accessible via QR codes placed throughout the museum, allowing visitors to engage with Glengarry’s sports history in an interactive way.
Students have eagerly embraced the project, honing their skills in interviewing, video editing, writing and research.
“I think the most exciting part was getting to meet these athletes and board members,” says Grade 8 student Piper Lavoie. “Many of them have incredible stories that deserve to be shared.”
“This project is a great way to advertise the Hall of Fame and get people interested in local sports history,” adds classmate Kate Abrames. “It was surprising to learn how many inductees have competed at high levels, including the Olympics.”
“It’s a privilege to be part of something that gives back,” says classmate Achsannah Taylor. “You don’t realize the impact it might have on someone who visits the Hall of Fame and learns about these amazing athletes.”
“It’s exciting to know that our videos and research will be available for years to come,” adds classmate Brihanna St. Louis. “Someday, we can look back and say, ‘We did that in Grade 8.’”
The collaboration between GDHS and the Glengarry Sports HOF exemplifies the power of Real-World Learning—giving students meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect their education to the broader community.
For more information or inquiries, please contact:
April Scott-Clarke
Manager of Communications
Upper Canada District School Board
[email protected]