On Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 former Turnbull School student, Kristyn Ross, returned to speak to students at their United Way "touch down" celebration. Turnbull School raised a record of $23,287 this year and asked Kristyn, who is now in Grade 12, to come back and speak to their students. She spoke about the foundation of caring and leadership she learned while at Turnbull School and how this motivated her to continue her charitable activities at high school. Kristyn is a wonderful role model to youth by showing how important their contributions are, and how they too can continue caring beyond their years at Turnbull.

What Kristyn did not know was that the United Way had Michael O'Byrne from CTV Noon News present her with a surprise Community Builder Award to recognize her contribution to "making a real difference and for building a stronger, more caring community for all of us."

Kristyn began her contribution to the community when she attended Turnbull School from 1998 to 2004 (Grades 3 to 8).  In Grade 7 she volunteered to become their first United Way student Chair and started a tradition of a Turnbull student committee that continues to this day, organizing events to instill enthusiasm and student participation in the campaign.  Kristyn was also a top fundraiser for two years in a row during Turnbull School's National Capital Race Weekend event for the Ottawa Hospital.