The DDSB welcomes local honouree to Definitely Durham Hall of Fame

UXBRIDGE: The Durham District School Board (DDSB) is proud to announce this year’s Definitely Durham award winners. Definitely Durham is the DDSB’s hall of fame, celebrating and showcasing the success of former students and public education in our community.

Uxbridge’s own Jessica Phoenix was one of the honourees. Jessica Phoenix (née Ferguson) is a two-time Olympian and five-time Pan American Medalist, Equestrian Mentor, Coach, and inspirational Public Speaker.

The honourees were celebrated virtually this year at the February 16th board meeting, where they were each presented with an award. A plaque for each inductee will be displayed on the ‘wall of fame’ in the Durham District School Board Education Centre. Jessica grew up in Uxbridge attending Joseph Gould Public School and graduated from Uxbridge Secondary School. In 1996, she first competed in equestrian competitions achieving the Champion Ontario Training Level atop her horse Let’s Boogie. She quickly moved on to competing nationally and internationally while being named to Canadian teams in several Olympics, World Equestrian Games, and Pan American Games.

In her spare time, Jessica shares her inspirational story with students, teaching them the values of dedication and commitment to achieve one’s dreams. In response to winning this aware, she shared this, “Thank you so much for this incredible honour, I am grateful to be among this group of honourees. To be able to grow up in Durham Region, and to now watch my children going to the same incredible schools is just a dream come true. I will be proudly sporting this award in the barn next to the other medals. Go Durham Region!”