The 36th annual Lawson Literary Awards have been handed out, with three going to Oxford County students.
OXFORD COUNTY - A trio of Oxford County public school students have been named Lawson Literary Award winners.
The awards encourage students in Grades 7 and 8 to research and write about a Canadian topic of interest, with 21 winners selected this year.
Oliver Stephens student Abby Barnes wrote about the Alberta Oil Sands after hearing about the issue from her sister.
"I started by comparing the pros and cons of the oil sands and then brought in some other points like the aboriginal point of view and I kind of used that data to formulate my own opinion."
Barnes says the award was very unexpected for her.
AJ Baker student Justine Jones wrote her essay in Laura Secord’s voice through the pages of a diary that covers highlights of her life between 1784 and 1861.
"I had done a project on Laura Secord for history so I decided to research more about her and find out more about her life."
Each winner was given $100, an award plaque and a bound copy of all Lawson Award winning entries.
Jones says she plans to save her money for the time being.
AJ Baker Student Sam Maaskant chose to focus his efforts on Canadian Inventors and the impact they have had on society.
Maaskant tells Heart FM what is was like to be crown a winner.
"It was pretty cool because it was out of a lot of people (chuckles), so it must have been good."

Abby Barnes - Oliver Stephens Public School

Sam Maaskant & Justine Jones - AJ Baker Public School
Photo courtesy of St Marys Journal Argus

Youth Charged in Hate Motivated Crime
Oxford Hospitals Receive Funding for Life Saving Surgeries
Interview with the Mayor - November 2nd, 2026
Oxford Leaders Release Joint Statement Regarding Landfill Legislation
PJHL Recap - Oct 30th to Nov 1st
Navy Vets Recap - Nov 1st
United Way Burger Battle Begins!
Oxford County Releases Survey Results
Cheese and Cheers Coming to Woodstock
PJHL Preview - Oct 30th to Nov 1st
Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday
Halloween Safety Tips from WPS
Patrick Stewart Dead at 86
SWOX Crash Results in Minor Injuries
UPDATE: Deceased Identified in Homicide Investigation
Interview with the Warden - October 29th, 2026
News Poll: Oxford County Municipal Election Results
Milwaukee Brewers Win the World Series
Comments
Add a comment