This annual award administered by Parachute, Canada’s national charity dedicated to injury prevention, honours a Canadian high school student who best exemplifies the spirit, drive and optimism of Stacey Levitt, a Toronto teen killed by a motor vehicle driver.

May 10, 2021 –  A Moncton-area teen who is a successful athlete, scholar and community leader – all while being an amputee with one arm – is this year’s recipient of the Stacey Levitt Memorial Award.

Carly Smith, 17, of Ammon, N.B., says that “being born an amputee with one arm, you have got to be determined, alert and adaptable to make the most of every opportunity given. Without a doubt, injury prevention is a fundamental priority in my life … I am entirely capable of living a fulfilling passionate lifestyle, practising values such as leadership, collaboration and innovation all while keeping safety first.”

This year saw a record-breaking 743 submissions from all 10 provinces and one territory for the award, which encourages Canadian youth to embody Stacey Levitt’s qualities and ideals and Parachute’s overarching goal of a long life lived to the fullest, while maintaining an approach that is rooted in risk management and injury prevention.

Ned Levitt, Stacey’s father, said this year it was “particularly difficult choosing just one winner” but that, in the end, Carly’s “grit and determination” made her stand out.

“Although awards and accomplishments are an integral and important part of one’s growth, it’s Carly’s endearing personality and approach to life that makes her special. Her infectious personality resonates as she brings it to Moncton High School each and every day,” says Michael Belong, the school’s principal. “Carly is mature beyond her years and she is highly respected at Moncton High by her classmates and her teachers. Carly has made me realize that she does not have a disability and, when she arrived in Grade 9, she has done nothing less than show us what can be achieved when one puts their mind to it. Carly’s energetic, positive demeanour makes her a special MHS senior.”

Among Carly’s many accomplishments:

  • Play Safe Ambassador for War Amps CHAMPS child amputee program
  • Captain of her school soccer team and a member of Curl Moncton, which has won six provincial titles and competed at the national level
  • Top academic student with average in the 90s
  • Active volunteer, including as a member of the school prom committee and a fundraiser for the Lions Sick Children’s Fund via an annual Dragonboat Festival
  • Participates in the Codiac Soccer high-performance training academy
  • Holds down a part-time job  

The Levitt family awards $2,500 to help the winning student live their life to the fullest. The award may be put toward an educational endeavour, engagement in sports, or investment in a travel experience – all pursuits that would have resonated with Stacey Levitt. 

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For more information or to arrange interviews with Carly, please contact:

Kelley Teahen, Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Parachute 

416 886-0950 or media@parachute.ca

About Stacey Levitt
Stacey Levitt was born May 19, 1977 at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. She attended Allenby Public School, Glenview Senior Public School and Northern Secondary School. Stacey had a wide variety of interests and lived a busy and active life while growing up in North Toronto with her family – her parents Ned and Cheryl, her sisters Marni and Jacqueline, and many very special and close friends.

On Aug. 30, 1995, the driver of a motor vehicle struck and killed 18-year-old Stacey while she was jogging in her Toronto neighbourhood.

About Parachute
Parachute is Canada’s national charity dedicated to reducing the devastating impact of preventable injuries. Injury is the No. 1 killer of Canadians aged 1 to 34, where one child dies every day. The financial toll is staggering, with injury costing the Canadian economy $27 billion a year. Through education and advocacy, Parachute is working to save lives and create a Canada free of serious injuries. For more information, visit us at parachute.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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