Portage La Prairie student wins Royal Canadian Mint contest celebrating 100th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition

Mint visits La Vérendrye School in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba to host arctic-themed program

PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MB, April 22, 2014 /CNW/ - The Royal Canadian Mint is honouring La Vérendrye School Grade 6 student Karina Feniuk, grand prize winner of the Mint's 100^th anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition – Heart of the Arctic drawing contest by presenting her with her prize and hosting a special program of arctic-themed activities for her fellow students today.  This national contest was launched in conjunction with the November 2013 circulation of two 25-cent circulation coins commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition. 

In addition to presenting Karina with a 2013 100^th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition Silver Dollar Proof Set, the Mint is spending the day at La Vérendrye School to host interactive activities including a special presentation by noted arctic expert Dr. David R. Gray of the Canadian Museum of Nature.  A Royal Canadian Mint engraver who worked on the Canadian Arctic Expedition commemorative circulation coins will take students through an exploration of coin design and engraving. The Mint is also holding a coin exchange for the students and staff and showcasing the award-winning Heart of the Arctic online game and Catch-a-Coin mobile app which have enriched the sharing of the Canada Arctic Expedition story.

Students from 485 schools across Canada submitted over 9,000 drawings in response to the Mint's contest invitation.  In addition to the grand prize winner, the Mint recognized two runners-up and a special finalist for outstanding participation and effort.

The runners-up and their classmates from École primaire Bourgeoys-Champagnat (Longueuil, QC) and Garrison Road Public School (Fort Erie, ON) will each receive a 2014 100^th Anniversary of the Canadian Arctic Expedition Proof Silver Dollar, which is also being awarded to the "outstanding participation" finalist from Salt Spring Elementary School (Salt Spring Island, BC).

About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown Corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. An ISO 9001-2008 certified company, the Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit. www.mint.ca

SOURCE: Royal Canadian Mint

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