The Leader - 25/05/2026

Learn Lead Inspire Award

The Learn Lead Inspire award celebrates students, staff members and volunteers who have made outstanding contributions and shown steadfast commitment to their school communities, aligning with Grand Erie’s mission to build a culture of Learning, Well-being and Belonging to inspire each learner.

Hiram Pitawanakwat-Miller, Hagersville Secondary School  

Hiram Pitawanakwat-Miller is a Grade 10 student who has made a meaningful impact within the Hagersville Secondary School community through his involvement in the Land-Based Learning program and the values it upholds. Hiram consistently demonstrates respect, leadership, and connection by supporting students who benefit from encouragement and a sense of belonging. Hiram consistently supports students who may be struggling to find a sense of community within the school. He takes the initiative to walk alongside students who may be hesitant to attend class, helping them feel welcomed, supported, and connected. Hiram is highly aware of the needs of those around him and will guide students toward staff members who can provide additional resources, engagement, and support. Beyond the classroom, his commitment to wrestling as an extracurricular has become a way to encourage younger students to get involved in school life. He inspires his peers to strengthen their own secondary school experiences while continuing to grow as a dedicated learner and emerging leader himself. Hiram approaches his studies with diligence and determination and continues to expand his involvement and leadership at school. His compassion and genuine commitment to uplifting others makes him a truly deserving recipient of the Learn Lead Inspire award.

J. Morgan Smyth, Grand Erie Graduate

Morgan Smyth is a distinguished former student of Mount Pleasant School and Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School whose pioneering contributions to the field of digital technology continue to inspire students and staff across Grand Erie. At a time when computers and the internet were still in their formative years, Mr. Smyth emerged as an innovative leader in this rapidly developing field. His accomplishments include teaching the APL programming language at the university level, publishing books on computer programming, and helping to shape the future of personal computing. As a member of a Canadian team of six, and through the company Micro Computer Machines, Mr. Smyth helped develop the world’s first personal computer, the MCM/70, in 1974 — an achievement recognized in the documentary “Inventing the PC: The MCM/70 Story.” Today, versions of the MCM/70 are housed in both the Smithsonian Museum and the York University Museum, reflecting the global significance of this groundbreaking innovation. Mr. Smyth continued to build on this remarkable legacy through executive-level collaboration on technology that became a precursor to the World Wide Web, while also leading his own highly successful company. His vision, leadership, and lasting impact on the digital world embody the spirit of the Learn Lead Inspire Award and serve as a powerful example of how innovation and perseverance can shape the future for generations to come.

J. Morgan Smyth joined by phone to accept the Learn Lead Inspire award.