One of just five students from across Canada, Chadd Stoppa has received the Ontario Difference Maker Award from the Rick Hansen Foundation. Chadd, a Grade 12 student at Madawaska Valley District School, was honoured as a 2024-25 Difference Maker for his work as the student program lead for the MVDS Para-Hockey program. The program gives students in grade 5 and up quality sledge hockey programming, led by Chadd, an elite para-athlete, Team Ontario player, future National team prospect, and a RCDSB grade 12 student, as well as a Team Ontario coach, Adam Stoppa. Chadd’s openness to share his knowledge of the sport, aiding in the development of the program, openness about his disability, and instruction of other students, peers, and the staff demonstrates his ability to be a changemaker. Above: Chadd Stoppa with his award. (Photo submitted) Readers of The Current will recall that sledge hockey is not Chadd’s only sport – he recently volunteered to coach Challenger Baseball through the Toronto Blue Jays Care partner, Madawaska Valley Association for Community Living. Click HERE to read.
In a media release dated May 30 2025, the Rick Hansen Foundation stated: The annual award honours youth aged 5 to 18 who have significantly contributed to making their schools and communities more physically accessible and inclusive for people with disabilities. Selected from dozens of nominations, the five youth are being celebrated for their inspirational work done to raising awareness around accessibility. Award recipients are chosen by a selection committee consisting of previous Difference Maker of the Year Award recipients and members of the RHFSP Youth Leadership Committee.
When sending the release, the Foundation’s public relations firm said that Valley residents would be inspired by the leadership that Chadd brings to the community, pointing out that it was his passion for sport and commitment to inclusion that led him to become the student lead of the MVDS Para Hockey Program. In this role, Chadd contributes his knowledge and experience to help the program achieve its goals: providing accessible physical education in Renfrew County and ensuring students have access to role models with disabilities, demonstrating that individuals with disabilities can be strong leaders in schools and communities.
The Rick Hansen Foundation media release goes on to say that the 2024-25 recipients serve as an inspiration to us all and include: the inventor of a navigational aid device utilizing a smartphone, a student program lead for the MVDS Para Hockey program, the first student representative on the Surrey Schools Accessibility Advisory Committee, the founder of an inclusive dance program called “Choreographing Inclusion”, and a volunteer with Makers Making Change who has successfully adapted and repaired numerous toys and completed custom 3D-printed assistive tools for people with disabilities. For more information click HERE to visit the Rick Hansen Foundation website. The Difference Maker Awards are listed under School Programs.
Schreinert,C.,Hartley PR(2025,June10) Madawaska Valley High School student receives Rick Hansen Difference Maker of the Year Award [media release]