7 stories of Nova Scotians who inspired us in 2024
CBC News | Posted: January 1, 2025 10:00 AM | Last Updated: January 1
A look at the people that excited and energized us
Image | Karen Hudson
Caption: Karen Hudson is the principal of Auburn Drive High School in Dartmouth, N.S. (Aly Thomson/CBC)
As 2024 draws to a close, CBC Nova Scotia is looking back at some of the year's most inspirational stories.
Here are the Nova Scotians who left a mark on our hearts.
Deaf wrestler hopes to inspire others by getting in the ring
Media Video | CBC News Nova Scotia : Deaf wrestler hopes to inspire others by getting in the ring
Caption: A man from Timberlea, N.S., will achieve a lifelong dream when he steps into the ring to make his professional wrestling debut. What makes Justin Marriott's achievement even more notable is he is doing it in spite of a big communication barrier. Marriott was born deaf but as the CBC's Gareth Hampshire found out, he has built a persona around deaf culture to get his career going.
When he steps into the ring to make his professional wrestling debut, it will achieve a lifelong dream for this Nova Scotia man.
What makes Justin Marriott's achievement even more notable is he is doing it in spite of a big communication barrier.
Marriott was born deaf but as the CBC's Gareth Hampshire found out, he has built a persona around deaf culture to kick-start his career.
How this man went from living in a tent to getting a Halifax apartment
Image | Jesse Vincent 2
Caption: Jesse Vincent was hired by the Downtown Halifax Business Commission to help clean the city streets. (Navigator Outreach Program)
Jesse Vincent went from living in a tent downtown for two years to moving into an apartment last month. He shared how he did it with the CBC's Nicola Seguin.
N.S. bus driver recognized for averting potential tragedy
Image | Terrie Brown school bus driver bedford lower sackville overpass crash
Caption: Terrie Brown is being recognized for dodging a tragic situation last week. He was driving a school bus on Highway 102 when a tractor-trailer crashed through a guardrail of an overpass above. Brown managed to stop the bus before the tractor-trailer hit the ground. (Mark Crosby/CBC)
Terrie Brown was driving 23 Rocky Lake Junior High students in his bus when a tractor-trailer crashed through an overpass and landed in the path of the bus.
He managed to stop before the two vehicles could collide, garnering him a community hero award from his employer.
This high school principal is breaking down barriers for racialized students
Image | Karen Hudson desk
Caption: Auburn Drive High School principal Karen Hudson pioneered the first Africentric cohort in math and literacy within a public school and helped expand that program to other schools. (CBC)
As the Nova Scotia government works to remove systemic barriers in the education system for Black and Indigenous students, one school leader is not waiting for marching orders.
Coming out as trans was a breakthrough. And not just for him
Media Video | CBC News Nova Scotia : Coming out as trans was a breakthrough. And not just for him
Caption: Rowan Omand’s journey to embrace his gender identity could have been a lonely experience. Little did the 21-year-old know his parent Alex Ripley would look to him for guidance. The two welcomed CBC News into their home to talk about their family’s experience.
Rowan Omand's journey to embrace his gender identity could have been a lonely experience.
Little did the 21-year-old know his parent Alex Ripley would look to him for guidance.
The two welcomed CBC News into their home to talk about their family's experience.
New York Fashion Week, get ready for a 'prolific' designer from Halifax
Media Video | CBC News Nova Scotia : She made her mark at New York Fashion Week. The world is next
Caption: Marie Webb of Halifax has been building a name for herself as a fashion designer and artist over the last 15 years with her bright and colourful creations. This summer, Webb began a residency at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design University with an ambitious goal: bring her designs to New York Fashion Week. CBC News followed Webb, her mother Renee Forrestall and the NSCAD team, checking in on their progress from July to September 2024. 'Marie the Fashion Queen' is about authentic voice, the creative process and the impacts a local collection can have on the fashion world.
Marie Webb of Halifax has been building a name for herself as a fashion designer and artist over the last 15 years with her bright and colourful creations.
This summer, Webb began a residency at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design with an ambitious goal: bring her designs to New York Fashion Week.
CBC News followed Webb, her mother Renee Forrestall and the NSCAD team, checking in on their progress from July to September 2024.
Marie the Fashion Queen is about authentic voice, the creative process and the impacts a local collection can have on the fashion world.
Home at last: Man with autism moves into the unique housing complex he inspired
Media | CBC News Nova Scotia : Home at last: Man with autism moves into the unique housing complex he inspired
Caption: A new inclusive and accessible housing development is now open in Kentville, N.S. Ryan's Park was spearheaded by the love of a mother, who made it her mission to improve the life of her son living with autism. The CBC's Tom Murphy has the story.