John did a fully cited research paper comparing and contrasting the treatment of war veterans diagnosed with PTSD from World War I until the most recent Canadian Peacekeeping missions. He was also to supply a reflection on a World War I piece of art he selected to review, a motivational letter outlining why he should receive the award, and a personal resume. He is one of 16 world wide winners, 14 of whom are selected from Canada. Thousands of students entered the contest in March, including all the Grade 11 Challenge students. In two years of doing this award, he is the only student from Mount Douglas to win. Here is the information from the society itself:
The Vimy Foundation’s premiere educational program, the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize, is a prestigious two-week-long learning experience during which exceptional youth, 15-17 years of age, study the interwoven First and Second World War history of Canada, Great Britain, and France.
Scheduled for August 9-23, 2018 in England, Belgium, and France, students will attend lectures at Oxford University, visit former battlefields, trenches and underground tunnels, as well as visit museums and cemeteries, tour the new Vimy Visitor Education Centre and explore monuments such as the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Canadian, British, and French prize recipients will also participate in commemorative ceremonies and meet a few of the remaining veterans and members of the French Resistance.